A 59-year-old ethnic Greek from Georgia has been arrested in Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece, on charges of espionage for Russian intelligence, after authorities discovered photos and videos of military installations and equipment on his mobile phone.
The National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Hellenic Police (ELAS) have been on heightened alert when EYP received intelligence exposing the suspect’s covert activities. A permanent resident of the area and officially employed as a house painter, the man was arrested on Wednesday. Investigators are now working to map out the full scope of his operations, identifying what he documented and when.
According to the ongoing investigation, the man was initially approached by a member of a transnational criminal organization based in Eastern Europe, known for its involvement in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and contract killings. This contact allegedly introduced him to Russian operatives and instructed him to carry out tasks on their behalf.
During questioning by ELAS, the suspect reportedly stated that he was not motivated by financial gain. He claimed his actions were driven by loyalty to “Mother Russia,” citing his past service in the Soviet army.
Sources familiar with the case indicate that the man had been photographing and recording sensitive military areas, including the port and border zones of Alexandroupolis—strategic sites used for transporting military material, much of which is believed to have been destined for Ukraine over the past two years.
The suspect is believed to have transmitted the gathered material through encrypted messaging apps to a second individual located in Lithuania. This second person, who holds a Greek passport and is also a native of a former Soviet state, has reportedly been arrested by Lithuanian authorities, according to Proto Thema.
Alexandroupolis, located in northeastern Greece near the borders with Turkey and Bulgaria, has become a critical hub for NATO operations and Greek national defense.
Its port, upgraded in recent years, serves as a vital logistics gateway for the rapid deployment of troops and military equipment to Eastern Europe, particularly in support of Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank. The city’s proximity to the Balkans and the Black Sea region enhances its value as a staging point for operations and as a counterbalance to Russian influence in southeastern Europe.
For Greece, Alexandroupolis is central to its defense posture in Thrace, a region of strategic importance given regional tensions with Turkey. The port allows for swift reinforcement of land and air assets and enhances interoperability with allied forces. The avoidance of the Turkish-controlled Bosporus Strait gives NATO a secure alternative route for transporting military cargo into Eastern Europe.
Increased U.S. and NATO presence in Alexandroupolis underscores its transformation from a regional port to a critical node in the alliance’s defense infrastructure. Its role is expected to grow as geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea continue to evolve.
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