A dual Russian-Australian national accused of attempting to carry out foreign interference in Ukraine during the war with Russia appeared in a Brisbane court for the first time on Friday.
Vladimir Teslov, 27, spoke briefly via video link during his maiden court appearance, Australian Associated Press reported.
Australian Federal Police arrested him in August and charged him with attempting to engage in intentional foreign interference.
It is the first time the Australian police’s counter foreign interference task force has charged a Russian-linked person under foreign interference laws.
Teslov is a Victorian resident, according to the police.
The next hearing in the case is set for December 4, prosecutors said.
Police have alleged that Teslov travelled to Russia in 2024, where he “undertook military-style training before returning to Australia”. He travelled to Ukraine in 2025, where he joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces to “gain access to information relating to their military personnel, units and locations”, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Teslov then allegedly “attempted to provide the information to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of Russian intelligence”.
“It is alleged that this conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel,” Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said earlier.
Australian prosecutors told the court that their evidence collection and examination of 17 devices is not yet complete.
