Ex-U.S. Consulate Worker Sentenced in Russia

Robert Shonov, a former Russian employee of the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for allegedly collaborating with the U.S. to harm Russia's national security by passing information about Russia's activities in Ukraine. Shonov, who worked at the consulate for over 25 years before its closure due to diplomatic tensions, was accused by Russia's FSB of gathering information on military operations and protests related to the 2024 presidential election. The U.S. State Department and Embassy in Moscow condemned the charges as false, asserting that Shonov's work involved compiling openly accessible media reports. His case has been highlighted as part of a broader pattern of Russia's repressive legal actions against its citizens with foreign ties. In connection to this case, Russia expelled two U.S. diplomats in September 2023. The incident underscores the deteriorating relations between Russia and the U.S. amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.