Official announcements from the U.S. government

Russia Sentences Robert Shonov, Ex-U.S. Consulate Employee in Vladivostok, to Four Years and Ten Months for Cooperation with Foreign State

Nov 1, 2024, 09:47 AM

A Russian court has sentenced Robert Shonov, a former employee of the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok, to four years and ten months in prison for charges related to 'secret collaboration with a foreign state.' The court's decision, announced on November 1, 2024, follows allegations that Shonov collected information for the American embassy concerning the conflict in Ukraine. Shonov, a Russian citizen, had worked at the consulate for over 25 years before his conviction. This case highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia amid the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict.