In one case, classified secrets were leaked to a foreign power, in the other there was an intention to leak.
Irina Zebrova of Russian Federal Security Service for Novosibirsk Region. Picture: RBK TV
It was not immediately clear if the cases were related or which foreign states were involved. One man from Novosibirsk handed secrets of Russian defence technology to foreign spies. He was caught red handed as he attempted to collect his illegal payment for 'materials he had earlier leaked to a foreign intelligence service'.
The suspect, whose name has not been revealed, is described as a former employee of a local defence firm.
He 'contacted foreign agents to provide them with classified information on modernising military equipment in exchange for financial reward'.
Officers from the FSB also apprehended a man who is accused of intending to leak state secrets to 'a Western state'.
The classified material concerned information on Russian defence facilities designated for specific tasks in the event of war. It appears that the men were not arrested despite the potentially serious allegations.
They were warned that they could face treason charges if they repeated their attempts to leak classified data, it was reported, citing a Novosibirsk FSB source.