Russian Officer Leaked Intelligence to Ukraine Before Defecting, WSJ Reveals
An extensive Wall Street Journal investigation reveals how a 26-year-old Russian communications officer secretly aided Ukrainian forces, leaking intelligence that led to the deaths of hundreds of Russian soldiers before his dramatic desertion.
A 26-year-old Russian communications officer, Vladislav Stopnikov, served on the front lines while secretly passing sensitive intelligence to Ukrainian forces, according to an extensive investigation published by The Wall Street Journal. Stopnikov reportedly leaked information that led to strikes resulting in the deaths of over 300 Russian soldiers, before eventually deserting and joining anti-Kremlin volunteer forces.
The Deadly Strike in Vuhledar
One of the most devastating incidents occurred in February 2024 near the town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine. Stationed with Russia's 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade, Stopnikov photographed Russian troops gathering for a military exercise and transmitted the coordinates to his Ukrainian handler. Pretending to suffer from a sudden stomach ailment, he walked away from the group and sought cover in a nearby wooded area.
Shortly afterward, a Ukrainian missile strike hit the open assembly point. The attack killed 68 Russian soldiers and wounded 60 others, including the brigade commander and several other high-ranking officers. Stopnikov survived the bombardment and even participated in the evacuation efforts, concealing his role in the attack from his surviving comrades.
Disillusionment and Family Ties
Stopnikov's disillusionment with the Russian military began during his studies at a prestigious St. Petersburg military academy, where he witnessed widespread corruption. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, his opposition intensified. After being deployed to the front lines in November 2023, he grew increasingly critical of military misconduct, including looting and violence.
His mother, Tatiana Yantsen, played a pivotal role in establishing contact with Ukrainian military intelligence through activist Dmytro Karpenko. Stopnikov agreed to supply operational data, troop locations, and communication frequencies without financial compensation. The intelligence enabled multiple subsequent strikes against Russian positions in March and May 2024.
Escape Through Minefields
As suspicions within the Russian ranks grew, Stopnikov executed a perilous nighttime escape between July 6 and 7, 2024. Guided by Ukrainian forces and monitored by a surveillance drone, he navigated a dangerous path through minefields and barbed wire to reach the positions of Ukraine's 72nd Brigade.
Following his defection, Stopnikov joined the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a paramilitary unit composed of Russian citizens fighting alongside Ukraine against the regime of Vladimir Putin. While his mother and younger sister managed to escape Russia and reunite with him, his wife chose to remain behind, publicly denouncing him as a traitor. Stopnikov remains on the front lines, continuing his fight against the Russian military.
