Israeli Security Arrests Russian Citizen on Charges of Spying for Iran

Israeli Security arrested Vitaly Zvyaganitsev, a Russian working in Israel, was arrested on suspicion of committing security offenses under the direction of Iranian intelligence officials.

The investigation by the Shin Bet (Internal security service)  revealed that from October 2025, Vitaly began to be in contact with an Iranian intelligence operative, who called himself "Roman" and claimed to live in Russia, an Israeli MoD release said.

It also emerged that under the direction of "Roman," Vitaly carried out, under tourist cover, a variety of photography assignments of infrastructure and ships in ports across the country, etc. In exchange for these assignments, he received money through digital means.

Vitaly carried out the acts when he understood that "Roman's" requests to photograph various sites in Israel were espionage missions by elements seeking to harm Israel, but he continued to carry out additional missions he received from his operator - this for financial reasons.

This is a serious affair that constitutes another example of the enormous efforts of Iranian intelligence officials to recruit Israeli and foreign citizens in Israel and abroad in order to promote intelligence-gathering and terrorist activities in Israel.

On December 19, 2025, the Central District Attorney's Office filed a serious indictment against him with the Central District Court.

The General Security Service warns citizens and  foreigners who are in Israel, against having contact with foreign elements from enemy countries and/or an unidentified entity, let alone performing tasks for them in exchange for payment or any other reason.

These elements, including intelligence and terrorist elements from enemy countries, with an emphasis on Iran, continue their efforts to recruit and operate Israelis and foreigners living in Israel, for the purpose of carrying out security missions, terrorist missions, and espionage in Israel. These elements also attempt to recruit Israelis and foreigners through appeals on social media.