The Russian collected information on objects of state security on the territory of Estonia. In Estonia, the court sentenced to a five-year prison term of 30-year-old Artem Zinchenko for illegal cooperation with Russian military intelligence. As the press service of the Estonian Public Prosecutor's Office reported, Zinchenko was recruited Chief Intelligence Directorate at the Russian General Staff in 2009. From 2013 until his arrest, he actively participated in operational-tactical work directed against the security of Estonia. Basically, his tasks included collecting information on state security objects and vital facilities in Estonia, as well as on the movement of military equipment of the Estonian Defense Forces and allies in the country. He was also instructed to obtain samples of military equipment, for example, communications equipment. Gathered information and samples Zinchenko periodically handed over to the staff of the GRU both by means of communication facilities and during personal meetings in St. Petersburg, the press service noted.. Zinchenko is a Russian citizen who has resided in Estonia since 2013 on the basis of a residence permit. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of trying to recruit Russian diplomats. According to him, Russians are literally "thrust" with a proposal for cooperation.

The Russian has received five years of prison for espionage in Estonia.