Vadim Kupriyanov, 40 years old from Rishon LeZion, was charged on Thursday with espionage after allegedly carrying out a series of surveillance and documentation missions on behalf of Iranian intelligence, including real-time filming of the home of former prime minister Naftali Bennett.
An indictment was filed Thursday in the Lod District Court, as Israel Police announced earlier in the day that Kupriyanov was arrested this month, following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit.
He was charged with contact with a foreign agent and espionage, offenses that prosecutors say were committed knowingly and with intent to harm state security.
According to the indictment, Kupriyanov was recruited in late October through a Telegram group advertising paid “projects” for Israelis, with compensation offered via PayPal.
After responding to the posting, he was contacted directly by a handler identifying himself as “David,” whom prosecutors say was acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence.
Court documents describe an incremental recruitment process, beginning with seemingly innocuous tasks such as photographing consumer prices in supermarkets and pharmacies and documenting the process of purchasing prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
Kupriyanov allegedly carried out multiple such assignments in Rishon LeZion and other locations across central Israel, receiving payments of roughly $120–$140 per task.
As the relationship progressed, his handler expressed satisfaction with his performance and offered higher-paying assignments, including prolonged filming of pedestrian traffic near commercial centers and streets.
In some cases, Kupriyanov allegedly concealed his phone during filming to avoid detection and transferred large video files via cloud services when direct transmission failed.
Prosecutors say Kupriyanov received multiple payments in US dollars and euros, with cumulative transfers totaling thousands of shekels.
The indictment further alleges that Kupriyanov at times used his partner’s mobile phone and Telegram account to communicate with his handler, posing as her in order to obtain additional assignments. Some missions were coordinated through her device, with Kupriyanov collecting and forwarding the materials. The partner was not charged in the case.
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The most serious phase of the alleged operation began in November, when Kupriyanov was instructed to purchase a vehicle-mounted camera capable of continuous recording and live transmission via a SIM card. He was warned not to remain in the vehicle and to avoid drawing suspicion.
On November 10, Kupriyanov purchased a Blackvue dash camera for 2,500 shekels, installed it in his car, and provided his handler with remote access credentials. In exchange, he received a $927.06 payment via PayPal, the indictment states.
According to prosecutors, on November 11, Kupriyanov was directed to drive to Ra’anana and activate the dash camera while his vehicle transmitted live footage. After receiving the exact street address, he repeatedly drove along the street where Bennett resides, sending multiple video clips showing the entrance to the former prime minister’s home and the surrounding area.
The indictment states that Kupriyanov remained in the vicinity for approximately 27 minutes while receiving real-time instructions from his handler regarding positioning and movement, before leaving the area and returning home.
Prosecutors allege that in carrying out this assignment, Kupriyanov knowingly transmitted information intended to harm Israel’s security. He was charged with contact with a foreign agent and espionage.
The case joins a growing number of espionage investigations in which Israeli citizens are alleged to have been recruited by Iranian intelligence through social media and encrypted messaging platforms, often beginning with low-level assignments that escalate over time.