Russian spies in the Russo-Ukrainian War explained

In the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War, in the time leading up to and after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a number of citizens of the Russian Federation and of other nationalities working for Russia have been identified publicly as spies or agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) or the third intelligence arm, the military intelligence service (GRU). Each arm having their own remits.[1] [2]

Termed "illegals", operatives without diplomatic accreditation, agents often spend years building up false identities, living a quiet life, though sometimes they then move location/country with their partner, who may or may not know of their espionage activities and any children, who will not know of any nefarious activities. They can be hard to identify, resembling normal people.[2]

The threat of spies has been increasing in Europe, most of which are Russian.[3] "Counterintelligence efforts to look for illegals had intensified recently".“The breadth of Moscow’s spying operations made it a unique threat", said Janez Stušek, director of Slovenia's SOVA intelligence agency until June 2022.

Effectiveness of Russian spies

Whilst it is clear that the opinion of Russian operatives regarding the willingness of Ukraine to enter into, and the preparedness of Ukraine for war, was a catastrophic failure, with the Russian military in February 2022 expecting to be welcomed with open arms, this is in part due to the fact that Russia's covert attempts to destabilise Ukraine in the second half of 2021 and early 2022 were a failure.[4] There was also a Russian intelligence failure to comprehend the West's willingness to support Ukraine in the long term. In diplomatic circles we see failures, mainly due to the mass expulsion of diplomats. There have however been some successes, in cyber warfare, in the media and on the ground in occupied areas of Ukraine.[5] It is much harder to determine effectiveness of spies on the ground in other countries.

Legals

See also: Diplomatic expulsions during the Russo-Ukrainian War.

In addition to ‘’illegals’’, over 600 Russian diplomats have been identified and been declared ‘’persona non grata’’ in 2022 and 2023 and had their accreditation cancelled, with a number being described as ‘’intelligence officers masquerading as diplomats’’ or "national security" concerns.[6] These expulsions of diplomats normally came at a cost, with retaliation by Russia against diplomats based at embassies in Russia.

The head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service ("MI6"), Richard Moore, reported that roughly half of Russia's spies working under diplomatic cover were expelled from Europe by July 2022.[7]

Illegals

Deep-cover spies, or ‘’illegals’’, a term for intelligence agents operating without diplomatic cover, have been uncovered in a number of countries. Resembling normal people, many have been uncovered through a combination of their recent activities and heightened awareness by the authorities.[2]

In the 1920's the Soviet Union was not recognised by many countries and was therefore not given diplomatic representation. The interior ministry of the Soviet Union (NKVD) sent people overseas giving them false documentation and instructions to settle into their new country and acquire contacts that might be useful in the future. The KGB used the same system from the 1950's.[8] In Russia they are called razvedchik, an approximation of the word ‘scout’.

Russia is almost unique in the way it changes the nationality of its Russian born officers and gives them years to build up a false identity in another country, before being called forward to undertake a specific task that may take decades to complete. The number of Russian illegals is not thought to be high, probably less than 100, worked by GRU and SVR with their main aim to get close to political, cultural, industrial and military organisations to enable them to "talent spot", identify people who might be recruited by others.[9]

"Illegals" also cover locals recruited by Russia, espionage groups sent from Russia or other countries sympathetic to Russia to countries and migrant asylum-seekers who have been persuaded to collect intelligence.[10]

Albania

In August 2022, three people, two Russians and one Albanian openly climbed over a wall of a weapons factory, were spotted by guards, whom they attacked with a chemical spray, before being arrested. One supposedly admitted to being a Russian spy, the factory is currently used to repair weapons. The three are being held in detention. One, a woman, had asked for asylum, claiming she would be persecuted if returned to Russia.[11] [12] Albania agreed to the asylum claim. Mikhail Zorin, a Russian who had used the spray, remains in prison in May 2023, the others have been released.

Australia

In February 2023 a large spy ring whose members included those posing as diplomats, as well a deep-cover identity operatives was uncovered. Operating for 18 months it was broken by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The people involved have had visas not renewed, or cancelled, forcing them to leave the country, rather than being expelled, to avoid retaliation against Australian diplomats.[13]

Austria

A 39-year-old Greek citizen was uncovered as a spy in Vienna in March 2022 when police raided a house and discovered tracking devices, bugs, a device for finding hidden listening devices and cameras as well as phones, tablets and laptops containing 10 million files and a hazmat suit. The individual, whose father was a former Russian intelligence agent who had been a diplomat in Germany and Austria, had trained in Russia and made 65 trips to other countries since 2018. With no visible income, he owns property in Greece, Austria and Russia and whilst being monitored was seen to use drop boxes to pass information to Russian embassy staff in Vienna.[14]

Belgium

Brazil

Police in Brazil are undertaking an investigation after three Russian spies have been identified recently with fake Brazilian identities. One, Cherkasov, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Brazil in July 2022 for identity fraud. (see Greece, Norway and USA)[19] An extradition request by the USA for Cherkasov was refused in July 2023 as Brazil had approved his extradition to Russia in April. The sentence was reduced by the court to 5 years.[20]

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

In September 2022 a senior Czechia diplomat, who worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was reportedly caught handing confidential information to Russia. Believed to be a mole who had been working with the Russians for a number of years, he had been under surveillance for some time.[31]

Estonia

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, a GRU agent used the alias Victor Muller Ferreira while living in Ireland for four years and maintained a bank account there to provide support for his application to go to university in the USA in 2018.[56] (see also Brazil, Netherlands and USA)

Italy

Latvia

Mexico

A Mexican citizen, Hector Cabrera Fuentes, who lived a double life with a family in Russia as well as Mexico was arrested in the USA when collecting information about a Russian born, but now an American citizen, who had previously provided information about the Russian government, that Russia purportedly wanted to kill. Fuentes admitted the plot and was sentenced in June 2022 to 4 years for not registering as a foreign agent.[67] [68]

Moldova

Montenegro

In September 2022 an investigation linked six Russian diplomats with twenty eight Russian citizens holding temporary visas for Montenegro and two local citizens in a spy investigation. The diplomats were expelled.[77] The Russian citizens were later banned from Montenegro and the two locals, one an ex-diplomat, face charges of illegal weapons, organising a criminal organisation and espionage.[78]

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Serbia

On 11 July 2023 the US sanctioned Aleksandar Vulin, a Serbian politician and head of the Serbian intelligence agency, due to his close connections to Russia and alleged illegal arms deals and other criminal activities.[100] In November 2023 Vulin resigned his position whilst denying involvement in illegal illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office.[101]

Slovakia

In March 2022 two Slovak citizens were charged with spying and bribery, accused of obtaining highly sensitive, strategic and classified information about Slovakia, its armed forces and NATO and handed them over to Russian Embassy based undercover GRU officers in return for money. One, Colonel Pavel Buczyk, was the head of a Security and Defense Department at the Armed Forces Academy and had GRU contact going back 10 years. The other, Bohuš Garbár, worked for a pro-Russian conspiracy website known as Hlavne spravy. Both have confessed, Garbár has been sentenced to three years in jail and the diplomats in Russia's embassy were declared persona non grata.[102] [103]

Slovenia

In December 2022 two foreign nationals were arrested, now believed to be Russian citizens working for Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR), under the false names of Maria Rosa Mayer Munos and Ludwig Gisch, they had used forged Argentinian passports to settle in Ljubljana with their children in 2017. A large amount of cash was seized. They are charged with espionage.[104] [105] In June 2023, the pair was named as Artem Viktorovich Dultsev and Anna Valerevna Dultseva.[106] (see also Greece)

Sweden

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States of America

Other areas of spying

Cross border assistance

The number of cases of cross border identification and arrest shows a close working relationship between different counter espionage and security forces, especially in NATO countries. MI5 confirmed that data about Russian agents is shared between European allies.[149]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cyber operations and the Russian intelligence services . 5 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Covers used by Russian Intelligence Services . 29 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Threat of spies is increasing in Europe . 16 May 2022.
  4. Web site: Preliminary Lessons from Russia's Unconventional Operations During the Russo-Ukrainian War, February 2022 – February 2023 . 29 March 2023.
  5. News: Russian spies more effective than army, say experts . BBC News . 29 March 2023.
  6. Web site: Nearly 600 Russian diplomats expelled from Western countries since February 2022 . 26 January 2023.
  7. News: Half of Russian spies in Europe expelled since Ukraine invasion, says MI6 chief . The Guardian . 21 July 2022 . Sabbagh . Dan .
  8. Web site: nside the world of deep-cover spies that Russia is deploying to infiltrate the West . . 27 November 2023.
  9. Web site: Did a Russian spy operate out of two of Canada's universities? . 6 December 2022.
  10. Web site: Migrants from Russia sent on spy assignments – Norwegian intelligence . 6 January 2024.
  11. Web site: They sneaked into a derelict arms plant: instagrammers or spies? . 5 March 2023.
  12. Web site: Russian detained in Albania on espionage charges seeks political asylum . 15 March 2023.
  13. Web site: Australia uncovers Russian espionage ring, expels spies: Report . 24 February 2023.
  14. Web site: Espionage in Vienna: Russian Spy Exposed . 19 December 2022.
  15. News: Nato expels eight Russians from its mission for spying . BBC News . 7 October 2021.
  16. Web site: Russia suspends NATO mission in retaliation for expelled diplomats . . 18 October 2021.
  17. Web site: Identity of Russian diplomat-spy agents expelled from Belgium revealed . 15 July 2022.
  18. Web site: Russian media uncovers military intelligence agent in Brussels facilitating defence equipment supply to Russia . 27 January 2024.
  19. Web site: Federal Police Suspects Brazil Is Being Used to Train Russian Spies . 10 April 2023.
  20. Web site: Brazil denies U.S. extradition request for alleged Russian spy Sergey Cherkasov . . 28 July 2023.
  21. https://www-24chasa-bg.translate.goog/bulgaria/article/11011467
  22. Web site: Bulgaria torn between Russia and West . . 7 March 2022.
  23. Web site: Reserve General Valentin Tsankov, accused of spying for Russia, was photographed at a rally in support of Stefan Yanev 2 days ago (Review) . 2 March 2022.
  24. News: Bulgarian Blasts, Russian Agents, And The War On Ukraine . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 21 March 2023 . Mitov . Boris . Lavchiev . Nikolay .
  25. News: Arms dealer '100% sure' Russian agents behind blast at Bulgarian depot . The Guardian . 1 August 2022 . Walker . Shaun .
  26. Web site: Bulgaria's economy minister hints Russians attacked ammo factory . 3 July 2023.
  27. News: Bulgarian Ex-Lawmaker Accused Of Spying For Russia Elected Chief Of Moscow-Backed Group . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 15 March 2023.
  28. Web site: Bulgaria must rid its spy services of Russia-backed agents, says head of leading party . 28 June 2023.
  29. Web site: Cautious optimism: What Bulgaria's new government means for Europe . 27 June 2023.
  30. News: Bulgaria Expels One Russian, Two Belarusian Clerics Accused of Spying . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 21 September 2023.
  31. Web site: "Czech law isn't good enough": Why mole for Russians may evade prosecution . 16 September 2022.
  32. Web site: Former Russian Spy Seeks Asylum In Estonia . 18 November 2022.
  33. Web site: Estonia extradites to US employee of FSB who smuggled military equipment . 14 July 2023.
  34. News: Wife of Russian agent involved in Skripal poisonings tried to slip into France . The Telegraph . 21 October 2022 . Samuel . Henry .
  35. Web site: Investigation uncovers ties between Silk Way Rally, Russian military and diplomatic activities . 24 April 2023.
  36. Web site: Spy's confession sheds light on Russian espionage in Georgia . 8 August 2022.
  37. News: German army reserve officer on trial over claims of spying for Russia . BBC News . 11 August 2022.
  38. News: How Hard Is Russia Trying To Acquire Sensitive Western Military Technology? A U.S. Indictment Provides Clues. . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 21 October 2022 . Eckel . Mike .
  39. News: German man arrested for allegedly passing intelligence to Russia . BBC News . 26 January 2023.
  40. News: Reuters . December 13, 2023 . Ukraine weapons treason case throws light on Russian spy threat to Germany . Escritt . Thomas .
  41. Web site: Germany, trial against the Russian intelligence spy: the co-accused testifies against the "mole" . 10 January 2024.
  42. Web site: Germany: new details on the case of the Russian intelligence spy . 12 January 2024.
  43. News: German Police Investigating Mysterious Illnesses Of Russian Activist, Journalist In Berlin . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 21 May 2023.
  44. News: German official accused of spying for Russia . BBC News . 10 August 2023.
  45. News: The elite Russian spy embedded in the heart of Europe . The Telegraph . 27 September 2023 . Cumming . Ed .
  46. Web site: UK suspects Wirecard's Jan Marsalek of spying for Russia . . 26 September 2023.
  47. News: Moscow's Man in the Bundestag . Der Spiegel . 18 July 2023 . Baumgärtner . Maik . Chernyshev . Alexander . Lehberger . Roman . Müller . Ann-Katrin . Höfner . Roman . Wiedmann-Schmidt . Wolf .
  48. Web site: Bundestag aide found to have close ties to FSB - media . 2 February 2024.
  49. Web site: Russian spy "Maria Tsalla" had travelled to Cyprus more than once . 3 April 2023.
  50. Web site: "Maria Tsalla": The last communication of the Russian spy with Greece . 18 March 2023.
  51. Web site: Two Deep-Cover Russian Spies Led Double Lives In Brazil And Greece. They Mysteriously Vanished This Year. . 8 April 2023.
  52. Web site: Head of Dutch satellite technology firm arrested for spying . 18 May 2023.
  53. Web site: Russian spies rebound in Europe . 4 April 2023.
  54. Web site: GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF HUNGARY'S RUSSIAN SPYING PROBLEM . 30 November 2022.
  55. Web site: DEMOCRACY DIGEST: HUNGARY'S BALANCING ACT TOPPLES AS IT ABANDONS RUSSIA 'SPY BANK' . 14 April 2023.
  56. News: Suspected Russian spy transferred thousands from Irish bank account to pay US tuition fees, court papers claim . . 27 March 2023.
  57. Web site: Italian officer sentenced to 30 years in jail over spying for Russia . 11 March 2023.
  58. Web site: Italian Navy Officer In Russian Spying Case Gets 20 Yrs: Lawyer . 19 January 2024.
  59. Web site: Maria Adela and Putin's other spies in Italy . 26 August 2022.
  60. Web site: Five Russian Nationals and Two Oil Traders Charged in Global Sanctions Evasion and Money Laundering Scheme . 19 October 2022.
  61. Web site: Russian Secret Services Likely Helped Siberian Governor's Son Flee Italy . 28 March 2023.
  62. Web site: Italian Court Approves Extradition to U.S. of Siberian Governor's Son . 21 March 2023.
  63. Web site: Suspected taxi-driving Russian spy detained by Latvian security service . 18 August 2023.
  64. Web site: Latvia Jails Ex-Interior Minister for Pro-Russia Spying . 10 November 2023.
  65. Web site: Russian citizen arrested in Latvia on suspicion of espionage . 3 January 2024.
  66. Web site: Investigation: Latvian member of European Parliament allegedly Russian agent . 29 January 2024.
  67. Web site: Man Who Acted as Russian Agent Sentenced to Federal Prison Term . 22 June 2022.
  68. Web site: Russia plotted to kill defector in Florida: Report . 19 June 2023.
  69. News: 2022-04-25 . Blasts tear through state security HQ in Moldova's breakaway region - TV . en . Reuters . 2022-04-25.
  70. Web site: Moldova's turn . 7 October 2022 . 31 March 2023.
  71. Web site: Moldova Condemns 'Russian Plan' to Regain Control of Country . 16 March 2023.
  72. News: Moldovan Ex-President Dodon Freed From House Arrest, Vows To 'Continue Fight' . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 19 November 2022.
  73. Web site: Moldova Smashes Pro-Moscow Subversion Ring – Police . 12 March 2023.
  74. Web site: Vice-chair of Moldova's pro-Russian party detained at Chisinau Airport in possible attempt to escape justice . 1 May 2023.
  75. Web site: Moldovan Intelligence Says it Has Cracked Russian Spy Network . 10 July 2023.
  76. Web site: Insider: Deported Moldova Sputnik chief revealed as career GRU spy . 16 September 2023.
  77. News: Six Russian Diplomats Expelled From Montenegro Amid Espionage Probe . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 30 September 2022.
  78. Web site: Cigarettes smuggling in Montenegro, and strike on Russian spies ring . 13 February 2023.
  79. Web site: How did the network of "sleeping Russian spies" in Europe come to light? . 2 April 2023.
  80. Web site: France accepts US extradition request of Greek-born Russian spy . 20 December 2023.
  81. News: Norway charges man accused of being Russian spy . BBC News . 28 October 2022.
  82. Web site: Man Accused Of Being Spy Admits He's Russian After Years Posing As Academic In Norway, Canada . . 14 December 2023.
  83. Web site: More than $1000 per day of shooting military objects. How the Kremlin is recruiting spies in Norway under the guise of the Russian Geographical Society . 21 October 2023.
  84. Web site: Alleged Moscow military spy revealed close to daughter of murdered Russian opposition leade . 2 May 2023 . 3 May 2023.
  85. Web site: The Russian who was following Zhanna Nemtsova travelled together with a Russian military intelligence officer. 3 Nov 2023. 18 May 2024.
  86. Web site: Warsaw's secret war against Moscow's spies: Poland's intelligence services have gone into overdrive to combat Putin's covert assault . 21 March 2023.
  87. News: Entire Russian spy network dismantled in Poland . BBC News . 16 March 2023.
  88. Web site: Three more members of Russia's spy network detained in Poland . 28 March 2023.
  89. Web site: Poland detains 9 people suspected of spying for Russia . . 16 March 2023.
  90. Web site: Poland detains three more suspects in Russian spy ring case: reports . 20 April 2023.
  91. Web site: Russian ice hockey player detained in Poland over claims he's a spy . 30 June 2023.
  92. Web site: Poland detains Ukrainian citizen over spying for Russia . 10 July 2023.
  93. Web site: Internal Security Agency detains 16th suspected Russian spy - minister . 4 August 2023.
  94. Web site: Russians built spy network in Poland reports US newspaper . 18 August 2023.
  95. Web site: Poland charges 16 after dismantling Russian spy ring . 22 November 2023.
  96. Web site: Poland found 14 members of a dismantled spy network guilty of conspiring to benefit Moscow. . 19 December 2023.
  97. Web site: Poland detains man for spying for Russia . 27 March 2023.
  98. Web site: Russian spy sentenced to one year imprisonment by Polish court . 30 November 2023.
  99. Web site: Russian citizen expelled . 7 June 2023.
  100. Web site: Despite US sanctions, Serbia denies spy chief's ties to Russia . 14 July 2023.
  101. Web site: Serbia's pro-Russia intelligence chief sanctioned by the US has resigned citing Western pressure . . 3 November 2023.
  102. Web site: Slovaks charge 2 with spying for Russia's military service . . 15 March 2022.
  103. Web site: Russian spy receives suspended sentence for espionage . 28 February 2023.
  104. Web site: Slovenia arrests two Russians on suspicion of espionage . 31 January 2023.
  105. News: The 'ordinary' family at No 35: suspected Russian spies await trial in Slovenia . The Guardian . 24 March 2023 . Walker . Shaun .
  106. Web site: Ruska vohuna v obtožnici z dvema imenoma . 17 June 2023.
  107. Web site: Spying for Russia: Europeans recruited for Putin's hybrid war . 20 January 2023.
  108. News: Swedish brothers face trial on Russia spy charges . BBC News . 25 November 2022.
  109. News: The Russian spy couple caught in the 'burbs: In Sweden, 'The Americans' plays out in real life . Le Monde.fr . 28 November 2022.
  110. Web site: Swedish Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Russian-Swede Accused of Spying . 28 September 2023.
  111. News: Russian Woman Detained In Sweden On Espionage Charge . Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty . 14 April 2023.
  112. Web site: Why Zelensky is purging the security services of Ukraine . 23 July 2022.
  113. Web site: How legal actions against Russian aggression in Ukraine can serve as a model for other conflicts . 24 February 2023.
  114. News: Denys Kireyev was a Ukrainian spy hailed as a hero who saved Kyiv from Russian invaders. So why was he killed for treason? . ABC News . 2 February 2023.
  115. Web site: Russian spy working in British embassy in Berlin jailed for more than 13 years . 17 February 2023.
  116. News: Suspected spies for Russia held in major UK security investigation . BBC News . 15 August 2023.
  117. News: Five to be charged in UK with spying for Russia . BBC News . 21 September 2023.
  118. Web site: Five people accused of spying for Russia appear in court over alleged abduction plot . 26 September 2023.
  119. News: The elite Russian spy embedded in the heart of Europe . The Telegraph . 27 September 2023 . Cumming . Ed .
  120. Web site: UK suspects Wirecard's Jan Marsalek of spying for Russia . . 26 September 2023.
  121. Web site: MI6 security alert at Russian-owned flat that overlooks Britain's spy HQ . 19 December 2023.
  122. Web site: From Russia to Florida: FBI halts Russian agent's 7-year influence campaign . 29 July 2022.
  123. News: US 'spy' couple pictured in KGB uniforms arrested for stealing dead babies' identities . The Telegraph . 29 July 2022 . Bowman . Verity .
  124. Web site: Trial set to begin in Russian espionage case against Hopkins doctor, US Army doctor . . 22 May 2023.
  125. Web site: Bosnia and Herzegovina National Arrested for Aiding Escape of Russian Defendant . 5 December 2023.
  126. Web site: Five Russian Nationals, Including Suspected FSB Officer, and Two U.S. Nationals Charged with Helping the Russian Military and Intelligence Agencies Evade Sanctions . 13 December 2022.
  127. Web site: Israeli charged in US for smuggling components used in nukes to Russia . . 17 December 2022.
  128. Web site: Former Senior FBI Official Charged in Two Separate Indictments . 23 January 2023.
  129. Web site: Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia . 23 January 2023.
  130. Web site: Former FBI spy hunter pleads guilty to working for Russian oligarch . . 15 August 2023.
  131. Web site: Ex-FBI Agent Who Helped Russian Billionaire Deripaska Spy On Rival Gets 50 Months In Prison . . 14 December 2023.
  132. Web site: DOJ charges alleged Russian spy who used fake identity to enter U.S. . 26 March 2023.
  133. Web site: Accused Russian spy allegedly collected U.S. info on Ukraine war before arrest . . 24 March 2023.
  134. Web site: DOJ arrests four people in cases of U.S. tech theft for Russia, China, Iran . 16 May 2023.
  135. Web site: US charges two Russians in hacks of government accounts . 7 December 2023.
  136. Web site: RUSSIAN 'FISHING' SPY SHIPS DISCUSSED AT SUMMIT . 8 May 2023.
  137. Web site: Nordic media reveals Russian sabotage spy programme . 20 April 2023 .
  138. Web site: US disrupts Russian cyber espionage campaign targeting dozens of countries . 9 May 2023.
  139. Web site: DOJ dismantles premier Russian spy tool . . 9 May 2023.
  140. Web site: Analyzing Finland's and NATO's Cybersecurity Strategies . 20 October 2023.
  141. Web site: ICC says cyberattack was espionage attempt . 21 October 2023.
  142. Web site: Spy chief warns authoritarian states stoking anti-government mood in Germany . . 22 May 2023.
  143. Web site: Computer parts trader arrested in the Netherlands for violating Russia sanctions . 18 July 2023.
  144. Web site: Spy row in Moldova: MFA summons Russian ambassador . 25 July 2023.
  145. Web site: Russia engages in global election interference, US alleges . 21 October 2023.
  146. Web site: Praying for Putin: Spies in Cassocks Threaten the West . 31 October 2023.
  147. Web site: 'Rivers of Russian Cash' Flood Italy . 17 November 2023.
  148. Web site: With Over 300 Sanctions, U.S. Targets Russia's Circumvention and Evasion, Military-Industrial Supply Chains, and Future Energy Revenues . 19 May 2023.
  149. Web site: Russian spying in Europe dealt 'significant blow' since Ukraine war, MI5 chief says . 16 November 2022.