Bulgarian Spy Ring Convicted in Major Russian Espionage Plot Across Europe

Six individuals, including three recently convicted in London, operated a sophisticated network targeting journalists, military bases, and embassies for Russian intelligence.

Three Bulgarian nationals were convicted in London for spying on behalf of Russia, with three others having already admitted to espionage charges.
The group carried out surveillance on investigative journalists, a US military base in Germany, and the Kazakhstan embassy in London, using advanced spy equipment and covert tactics.
The operation was directed by Jan Marsalek, a fugitive Austrian businessman wanted for a €1.6 billion fraud linked to Wirecard, who allegedly acted as a proxy for Russian intelligence.
Police uncovered a trove of sophisticated spy gear, including hidden cameras, signal jammers, and fake identity documents, during raids on properties in Great Yarmouth and London.
The case highlights a growing trend of Russian intelligence outsourcing operations to criminal proxies, reflecting an evolving threat to UK and European security.