A member of the US Air Force has been charged with disclosing sensitive information about Russia’s war with Ukraine on a foreign dating site after receiving communications from an unidentified woman that appeared to plead for secrets.
The Justice Department announced on Monday that David Franklin Slater, 63, had been accused in federal court in Nebraska of conveying secret information regarding Russia’s war with Ukraine using a foreign online dating platform.
The alleged co-conspirator, who prosecutors have not named, allegedly sought out Slater frequently for information and referred to him as “my secret informant love,” according to the indictment.
According to authorities, Slater retired as an Army lieutenant colonel and was posted to the US Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base. He was detained on Saturday on counts of illegally revealing national defense information and conspiring to do so.
Prosecutors claim Slater attended briefings on Russia’s war with Ukraine between February and April 2022 and, despite signing paperwork promising not to disclose classified information, shared details about military targets and Russian capabilities on an online messaging platform with an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine.
According to the indictment, the woman sent the following messages on the dating app:
On or about March 7: “American Intelligence says that already 100% of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted?”
On or about March 11: “Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting.”
On or about March 15: “By the way, you were the first to tell me that NATO members are traveling by train and only now (already evening) this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?”
On or about March 18: “Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?”
On or about March 23: “Dave, it’s great that you get information about [Specified Country 1] first. I hope you will tell me right away? You are my secret agent. With love.“
On or about April 12: “Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great!”
On or about April 14: “My sweet Dave, thanks for the valu,able information, it’s great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv.”
On or about April 19: “Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant “surprise” for Putin! Will you tell me?”
On or about April 21: “You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, I’m sure there is a lot of interesting news there?”
It was not immediately known whether Slater had a lawyer. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.
