Putin's new spy networks in Europe

European countries expelled almost 500 Russian spies. Now, however, there are indications that Russia has changed tactics and is relying, among other things, on modern technology. And on "traveling agents"

There are several ordinary and several satellite antennas on the roof, although some of them are apparently no longer functional. What can be seen on the roof of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Bonn seems rather worn. The impression, however, is deceiving: the structures on the roofs of that complex of buildings do not reveal what is hidden behind them, and they could be very important for Russia. According to the German public broadcasters WDR and NDR, and the newspaper "Zidejche Zeitung", referring to sources from security circles, the most modern communication and espionage technology is behind it.

The same sources state that these comprehensively installed facilities are an important reason why the Russian leadership is still clinging to the location in Bonn. After Russia limited the total German representation in Germany to 2023 people in 350 - which includes diplomats, teachers, employees of various foundations - the German government ordered the closure of the consulate. Putin's regime decided to keep only the embassy in Berlin and the consulate general in Bonn. This has consequences for consular work. But also for espionage.

According to information from German journalists, the work of the Russian secret services has changed since the beginning of the aggression against Ukraine. The expulsion of dozens of spies who were accredited as diplomats dealt a blow to Moscow. But as a journalist's survey conducted in security circles showed, Russia has changed tactics.

Concentration on remaining staff?

According to the research, about 20 spies are still accredited as diplomatic personnel in Germany. This, however, is no longer sufficient to carry out complex operations, partly because the German security services believe that they are keeping a very good eye on those remaining personnel.

Spies disguised as diplomats have always been in the center of interest of the German Office for the Protection of the Constitutional Order. Their diplomatic status protects them from prosecution and they are traditionally used to recruit sources for information. The German counterintelligence service estimates that up to a third of the Russian diplomatic staff are actually agents.

Until the Russian attack on Ukraine, German politicians avoided taking tougher measures against Russian spies. Care had to be taken not to jeopardize the fragile diplomatic relations, because it was known that Russia, in the event that its personnel were expelled, would subsequently expel the same number of German diplomatic personnel from Russia.

However, that diplomatic restraint has disappeared. Germany expelled 2022 Russian diplomats in April 40, and another 30 the following year - including apparently almost the entire technical staff. A similar thing happened in many other countries of the European Union.

After the expulsion of nearly 500 spies in the last two years, not much remains of the Russian spy network in Europe that was maintained for decades in embassies and consulates.

Russia is trying to replace expelled personnel in Europe, say with spies previously deployed in embassies in Africa. For example, the Dutch intelligence service recently warned that agents with fake biographies are infiltrating disguised as businessmen.

At the same time, Russia relies on countries with friendly governments, such as Hungary or Serbia. According to some information, Russian spies are now more active in Turkey, Dubai and North Africa.

A more brutal approach

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has also adopted a "stricter approach" - this is how the German Office for the Protection of the Constitutional Order describes it. This means that the Kremlin takes into account the fact that the agents could be arrested, which is why the operations are more unscrupulous. This includes, for example, the recent publication of the intercepted conversation of German generals about the "Taurus" missiles, which was intended to make the Western powers quarrel.

The spread of fake news has also intensified in order to launch broad disinformation campaigns. Networks for political influence were recently discovered in Poland and the Czech Republic, and some politicians were allegedly recruited for these needs for money - as shown by the scandal surrounding the Alternative for Germany politician Petar Bistron. Fugitive Jan Marsalek, a former high-ranking manager of German financial services who is suspected of financial fraud, allegedly operates a network of agents across Europe.

Belgium fights against espionage

The Russian Consulate General in Bonn apparently plays an important role for Russian espionage: a large part of the German Ministry of Defense is still based in that city, the former German capital. There are also many international organizations whose work is of interest to Moscow. At the same time, Russian personnel from Bonn can quickly travel to neighboring countries, for example to France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg or Belgium.

Brussels, as the seat of the European Union and NATO, is particularly important for the Russian leadership to gather information. But Belgium has recently stepped up its counterintelligence activities at home to a good extent. This is why Bonn plays an important role for Moscow, because the agents stationed there are not necessarily on the radar of the services of neighboring Belgium.

Danger from Austria

Agents from Bonn can move more freely and contact potential sources of information. What is particularly important is that their activity in the event of discovery abroad would not automatically lead to diplomatic problems, because theoretically they are not accredited as embassy staff in the country in which they operate. The so-called "traveling agents" thus exploit a kind of international loophole.

Cultivating sources of information abroad has apparently become even more important for Russia - including espionage activities in Germany. Security circles state that diplomatic staff accredited in Austria could play a special role in the operations in Germany. The government in Vienna, namely, did not join the extensive expulsions of embassy staff. So far, only eight spies have had to leave Austria, although it is estimated that up to 100 Russian agents who are accredited as diplomats are operating in Vienna.