Russia expels Israeli citizen who wanted to fight for Kiev

An Israeli national who allegedly offered his services to pro-Ukrainian armed groups has been deported from Russia, the FSB security service reported on Thursday.

The man, Lancman Yuval, was described as a former member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who was born in 1960. He was detained in the southern Krasnodar Region, the local branch of the agency said in a statement.

He had “an intention to join Ukrainian armed formations with the goal of taking part in hostilities against Russia,” the report said. To do that, the foreigner has been sending his personal data “to terrorist organizations banned” in the country, which he sought to join.

Law enforcement ensured Yuval's “controlled exit” from Russian soil, on the presumption he would return to his home nation. He was banned from re-entering Russia.

The agency released footage showing Yuval in a detention facility and signing some paperwork, as well as being read a formal notice that his intended actions would have broken Russian law.

Israel has yet to comment on the incident.