Suburban home of Brisbane couple accused of being Russian spies

A Brisbane couple accused of spying for Russia were living in a nondescript unit complex in one of the city’s northern suburbs known for its quiet, family-orientated lifestyle.

A Brisbane couple accused of spying for Russia were living in a nondescript unit complex in one of the city’s northern suburbs known for its family-orientated and quiet lifestyle.

Buying the two-bedroom apartment for $360,0000 in Everton Park’s Flockton St in June 2021, Igor and Kira Korolev lived a 10-minute drive from Enoggera Barracks where she was an information systems technician for the Australian Defence Force, ranked Private.

Two weeks after the property settlement, Ms Korolev was pictured in Colorado Springs as part of a joint military exercise with American, Canadian and British troops.

Kira and Igor Korolev have been charged with espionage offences, accused of spying for Russia. Picture: Facebook

“Joint exercises,” she responded online in Russian when asked why she was in the United States.

Kira, 40, posted the photograph at the same time army soldiers from Brisbane’s 7th Combat Brigade joined forces with the US Army, British Army and Canadian Army for a joint warfighting assessment at Fort Carson, Colorado.

“The aim of the exercise is to assess the readiness of each military to integrate with its multinational partners,” a statement from ADF in June 2021 said.

Three years later, the Russian-born couple would be arrested in a joint investigation involving the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, becoming the first people in Australia to be charged with new espionage offences.

The couple were arrested and charged with espionage offences. Picture: AFP

Court documents obtained by The Courier-Mail allege the couple were involved in spying between December, 2022 and their arrest on Thursday.

Their modest 99 sqm apartment is in a large complex of six buildings on busy Flockton St, between the North West Private Hospital and the Everton Park Hotel.

It is understood ASIO had been monitoring the complex, described as “resort-style” with an in-ground pool, spa and BBQ area, for months.

The Courier-Mail was told ASIO and AFP investigators had obtained keys to the complex and the couples’ apartment but it is not known whether they were used.

The couple bought a 99sq m apartment in a complext on Flockton St at Everton Park. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

It is understood maintenance workers had once entered the couples’ apartment under “strict instructions” from Kira.

The apartment, which was neat and included some decorations, was described as just like any other.

Strict instructions were reportedly given by Kira to supervise the contractors who were fixing a fire door.

Those entering were told to only be inside the apartment to carry out the work, not to use the toilet, or do anything else.

She also gave them a strict time frame to complete the work.

“She controlled how we accessed it and I had to send her photos on her phone,” a man involved with the work told The Courier-Mail.

“But she was always pleasant on the phone or via email.”

The man said he had numerous interactions with the couple, but nothing out of the ordinary.

“Just a normal conversation between two parties,” he said.

The couple never mentioned any involvement with the ADF.

Complex resident said Igor had always been friendly when they crossed paths at the apartments. Picture: David Clark

Neighbour Andrew, who has lived in the complex for about 10 years, said Igor, 62, who worked as a labourer, always seemed very friendly and always waved hello.

“In the morning I saw a lot of AFP and then when I tried to go into the building … the police refused (to let me) go in there,” he said.

“And then in the evening there were still lights in the apartment, and they were still going on.

“I saw him a few times, he said hello and was friendly, and I’d say hello back to him.

“I’m pretty surprised.”

Andrew said a lot of military people lived in the complex.

Tristen McKenzie, who was visiting the complex, said police swarmed on Flockton St late on Wednesday night.

“We assumed it was nothing, maybe another break-in, but then woke up the next day and saw a bunch of police,” he said.

The Everton Park unit where the couple lived before their arrest. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“There were heaps of people walking around with duffel bags and (I) saw police in the garage.”

The unit – on the top floor of a unit block at the back of the complex – had its outdoor blinds drawn on Friday morning.

Tenant Nikki Spalding – who lived directly below – said she had never seen them.

“It’s pretty scary … the fact I’ve never seen those people,” Ms Spalding said.

“I left for work yesterday morning and noticed there were undercover police all downstairs in the complex.”

Kira’s social media profile includes photographs of her in 2020 posing in shorts, T-shirt and sunglasses on Shorncliffe Pier, while Igor’s features the Melbourne cityscape.