Russian security officers have detained a self-styled revolutionary accused of collecting intelligence on military transport and infrastructure for Ukrainian special services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Friday.

The 50-year-old suspect was identified as a member of Artpodgotovka, an opposition movement outlawed in Russia in 2017. According to the agency, the group’s founder—former Saratov regional lawmaker Vyacheslav Maltsev—acted as an intermediary between its members and Ukrainian handlers.

The FSB alleges the man posed as a logistics company employee to gain access to military cargoes. He reportedly gathered intelligence on shipping routes, identifying markings and operational details, as well as vulnerabilities at military facilities.

Although detained in Novgorod Region, his alleged activities spanned seven Russian regions, the security service stated.

He has been charged with participation in a terrorist organization. Artpodgotovka was designated a terrorist group in 2021 after previously being classified as extremist.

Maltsev established Artpodgotovka in 2013 during his time in Saratov regional politics. Initially framed as an art club, it evolved into an opposition movement. Maltsev gained followers by repeatedly claiming a popular revolution would erupt in November 2017.

Investigations revealed the suspect’s Artpodgotovka membership card labeled him a “member of the revolution.”

Maltsev fled Russia in 2017 and later secured asylum in France. He has since appeared regularly on Ukrainian television, offering political commentary and predicting Russia’s imminent collapse.

The FSB also claims Maltsev is linked to French intelligence and shielded from Russian extradition efforts.