Russia Arrests Ukrainian Scientist in Crimea: What the Biologist is Accused Of.

Scandal Over Arrest of Ukrainian Scientist in Russia

According to inkorr.com: A major scandal has erupted in Ukraine over the arrest of a Ukrainian scientist whom the Kremlin accuses of undermining Russia's industrial krill harvesting in Antarctica. This was reported by The Guardian.

Seventy-year-old biologist Leonid Pshenychny, an expert on Antarctica, was detained while preparing for a conference in occupied Crimea. He is accused of treason.

The Russian security forces describe the scientist in the document as 'a citizen of the Russian Federation' who has 'switched sides.'

Pshenychny is suspected of undermining Russia's krill harvesting due to Ukraine's initiatives to limit this activity. Australia and the UK have already called for his unconditional release.

Reaction to the Arrest

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko called Pshenychny's arrest baseless and fabricated. The diplomat confirmed that the embassy is collecting signatures from other countries to demand the immediate release of the Ukrainian scientist.

He is a scientist, not a politician. These are fabricated charges, his detention is unfounded.

Additionally, earlier, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced 15 Ukrainian soldiers from the 'Aidar' battalion to long prison terms.

Thus, the arrest of Ukrainian biologist Leonid Pshenychny has become a cause for diplomatic conflict in which Australia, the UK, and Ukraine are actively involved, urging for his immediate release. This situation once again underscores the strained relations between Ukraine and Russia.