‘Back off’: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blasts Russia over couple accused of spying

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told Russia to “back off” after its embassy accused Australia’s security chiefs of fuelling “anti-Russian paranoia” over an alleged spy couple accused of trying to access classified defence information.

Russian-born Australians army private Kira Korolev, 40, and her husband Igor, 62 have been arrested over an alleged spying scheme targeting the Defence Department, with authorities emphasising concerns over espionage and foreign interference.

Assuming the allegations are true, the spying may have been related to Australia’s support for Ukraine or for nuclear submarine secrets passed on by the US under the AUKUS agreement.

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The Russian Embassy in Canberra on Saturday accused Australia’s federal police and spy agency chiefs of stoking anti-Russian paranoia.

“The press conference of AFP and ASIO chiefs on 12 July was clearly intended to launch another wave of anti-Russian paranoia in Australia,” the embassy said in a statement.

“Theatrical tricks were used like talking to imaginary ‘Russian spies’ presumed to be all around.”

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