Russian Spy Ring Convicted for Espionage in UK Using Sophisticated Spyware

Six Bulgarian operatives working for Russian intelligence were found guilty of conducting large-scale surveillance and espionage operations across Europe.

The spy ring, dubbed 'The Minions,' was led by Bulgarian nationals under the direction of Russian handler Jan Marsalek, a fugitive linked to the Wirecard financial scandal.
The group engaged in six espionage operations targeting journalists, dissidents, and military sites, including surveillance of Ukrainian soldiers at a US airbase in Germany.
Police uncovered advanced spy equipment, including cameras hidden in everyday objects like rocks and toys, during raids on their operational base in Great Yarmouth.
The operatives used fake identities and sophisticated tools to gather intelligence, with plans involving honeytraps, kidnappings, and hacking mobile phone data.
The convicted individuals face up to 14 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Russian intelligence activities in the UK.