A civilian employee of the Air Force has been detained in the United States on charges of disclosing classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine on an online dating platform. This was reported by the US Department of Justice.


David Slater, 63, was detained on March 2. He worked for the US Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. From August 2021 to April 2022, Slater had access to classified information.


According to the Department of Justice, Slater intentionally and illegally transmitted classified national defense information that could have been used to the detriment of the United States or to the benefit of a foreign country.


Prosecutors allege that between February and April 2022, Slater attended briefings on Russia's war with Ukraine and, despite signing non-disclosure documents, shared details about Russia's military goals and capabilities.


The recipient of the data was a user on an online dating platform registered under the name of a woman living in Ukraine. The user, who has not been identified, regularly asked Slater to send confidential information and referred to him in messages as a "secret love informant," the indictment alleges.


The first court hearing in Slater's case will be held on Tuesday, March 5. The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.