High-level interpreter ‘was a spy for Russia’
AN interpreter who attended high-profile meetings of top politicians has been arrested on suspicion of being a Russian spy.
Senior Ukrainian government interpreter Stanislav Yezhov – who attended meetings in No.10 Downing Street with his prime minister, as well as meetings with former US vice-president Joe Biden – was held by security officials in his country for acting ‘in the interests’ of an ‘aggressor’.
It is claimed he spied for the Russians for more than two years during which he worked for Ukraine’s prime minister Volodymyr Groysman and members of his cabinet.
Mr Yezhov, who has a Russian wife, was allegedly recruited by Kremlin intelligence agencies while working in America.
He would have had regular access to insider information and attended high-profile meetings in London and Washington.
He was at No.10 when Mr Groysman met British prime minister Theresa May in July. The leaders discussed Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the capability of the Ukrainian armed forces and sanctions against Russia. Last night it was not clear what information, if any, Mr Yezhov gathered during the talks.
But the fact that he was able to enter Downing Street has raised security fears in London. He was photographed with Mr Groysman and Mrs May at No.10 during the visit.
Mrs May said she was aware of the claims but any action taken was a ‘matter for the Ukrainian authorities’. Her spokesman said: ‘Security at Downing Street is kept permanently under review.’
Ukraine’s security service said Mr Yezhov acted on Russian orders to collect information ‘about the activities of government structures’, using ‘special equipment’. He allegedly passed on information through ‘electronic channels’.
Mr Yezhov’s home and workplace were searched by Ukrainian security services yesterday. He was seen being led away in handcuffs after his arrest in Kiev on Wednesday night. The interpreter was present for meetings between the Ukrainian government and former US vice-president Joe Biden last year.
Ukrainian MP Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to his government’s interior minister, said yesterday: ‘He worked for the Russian special services for at least two years. He was recruited during his work at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington several years ago.’
Mr Gerashchenko suggested Mr Yezhov could have been intimidated into co-operating with Russia by ‘some issues related to his wife’s relatives – but it will all become known during the investigation’. If he is found guilty of spying, he could be jailed for 12 to 15 years.
Mr Gerashchenko said there were ‘a lot of Russian agents’ in the Ukrainian armed forces, police and government.