The Embassy took note of the latest chain of events fueling anti-Russian sentiment in Australia. One of the links in the chain was the arrest of 27-year-old Russian-Australian national Vladimir Teslov, who has been charged with “attempting to engage in foreign interference”. According to AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett’s statement, the police detained a Russian citizen who did not present any threat to Australia. Actually, this action was taken in the interests of a foreign nation – Ukraine. The AFP “will allege” Mr Teslov’s conduct “created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel”. These personnel are well-known for their vicious attacks against civilian targets in Russia, killing children, committing terrorist acts and Nazi-style atrocities in the Russian territory, torturing, maiming and murdering innocent civilians. All of these are not mere allegations, but verifiable facts. Some Ukrainian and Australian commentators have sought to associate the Teslov case with allegations of “intensifying Russian espionage”. Others speculate about the link between the arrest and “the social media disinformation war” by unnamed “pro-Russian groups” aimed at “dividing the community, creating confusion”. Thus, pretexts are being created for raising yet another wave of spy mania and anti-Russian hysteria in Australia, dismissing any alternative views as “propaganda”, as well as evading facts and answers to the key issues related to the Ukrainian conflict and its roots. The matters in question are the revival and spread of neo-Nazi ideology and practices in Ukraine, glorifying Nazi collaborators, the Kiev regime ignoring and violating human rights, destroying everything Russian, physically exterminating the Russian-speaking population and everybody who thinks differently from what is dictated from Kiev, rampant corruption, forced mobilisation, religious persecution and many others. These are the features of today’s Ukraine so strongly supported by the West and funded by Western taxpayers. Against this backdrop, the Embassy remains concerned about the circumstances surrounding the Teslov case and the broader context in which it has unfolded. We will continue to closely follow the situation and take appropriate action within our competence.