Ukrainian Judge Arrested for Treason: Leaked Azov Fighter Data to Russia’s FSB.

Arrest of Judge Larysa Bogomolova

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) detained Larysa Bogomolova, head of the Poltava District Court, on charges of high treason committed during wartime. Recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), she passed sensitive information about Ukraine’s defense forces to the enemy. The arrest took place in April 2023 in the city of Poltava.

Bogomolova began her judicial career at a city district court in Berdyansk just as the full-scale invasion began. In March 2022, she handed over data to Russian operatives on the movements of three fighters from the special unit 'Azov.' Later, in the summer of 2022, she relocated to Ukrainian-controlled territory and assumed her role at the Poltava District Court.

Legal Consequences

On April 27, 2023, Bogomolova was formally notified of suspicion under Article 111, Part 2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. The court found her guilty under this article, and on May 5, 2023, the High Council of Justice approved her detention. She was apprehended in her own office, underscoring the severity of the charges and the repercussions of her wartime actions.

This case is part of Ukraine’s broader effort to combat corruption and treason amid the ongoing war.

The detention of high-ranking officials like Bogomolova—and their accountability for actions that undermine national security—signals the Ukrainian government’s firm resolve to protect the country from internal threats. During wartime, such measures can significantly impact the morale of troops and civilians, as well as public trust in the justice system.