(AP photo)
Russia is embroiled in a spy scandal, and it all started with a simple phone call by a concerned citizen. Svetlana Davydova, a resident of the city of Viazma, was arrested by the Federal Security Bureau (FSB) on charges of treason. The reason was her call to the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow. According to official documents, she noticed that military base â??48886, located next to her home, was housing the 82nd Brigade of the Main Intelligence Directorate (Russia's military intelligence bureau, known as GRU). Many military experts and observers reckon that the so-called green men - soldiers in military fatigues without any official insignia who are seen in Crimea and eastern Ukraine - are members of forward-based Russian military intelligence units.
If the official allegations prove to be true, they would reveal a pretty significant failure in Russia's vaunted military intelligence. Svetlana's husband, Anatoly, told reporters that his wife took a shuttle bus to the city and saw one of the base employees riding it. The passenger's role was not difficult to discern, as apparently he spoke loudly on his cell phone, mentioning specifically that he and his colleagues were being sent to Moscow in small groups, wearing civilian clothes. From there, it appears, they were to be sent on a "business trip." Svetlana concluded that these units are actually sent to Donetsk, where pro-Russian forces are battling the Ukrainian military. Svetlana told her husband what she heard. "Svetlana called the (Ukrainian) embassy, she said she has key information that could prevent possible bloodshed", Anatoly said.
On Jan. 21, agents from the FSB raided Davydova's home and detained her. She is a mother of seven children, the youngest of whom was born two months prior to her arrest. She was brought to Moscow, where a military court ordered that Davydova be held in custody until March 19.
"Svetlana is opposed to this war, but I would not say that we are active participants in anti-war rallies and the opposition," Anatoly told reporters. "She was even a member of the Communist Party, but then left it to raise children. I do not understand how the FSB found out everything."
Svetlana now faces charges of treason. Her attorney believes that the state has grounds for such an accusation. "In general, I can't say that this all came out of the blue - there is specific information, there are facts, there are reasons. In an official investigation by the experts in the field, state secrets will determine everything." He mentioned that Davydova is feeling fine and maintains her sense of humor.
The Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, which reported the incident, cited an anonymous FSB operative who said the accused could receive a 12 to 20-year prison sentence and a fine of up to 500,000 rubles. Ominously, the unidentified source said that citizens should not underestimate state counterintelligence agencies and should understand the difference between curiosity and betrayal. "It is important to note that if you accidentally divulged state secrets, but then reported the breach to state agencies and therefore helped prevent further damage to the state, then you bear no criminal responsibility," the source added.
It is unclear how the Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU, will deal with the rank-and-file member who supposedly divulged state secrets on a bus, nor whether Svetlana will be made an example to the Russian masses.
