European diplomats were warned about the presence of Russian spies in Brussels steakhouses • The Bell • RIMA

European diplomats were warned about the presence of Russian spies in Brussels steakhouses

EU intelligence agencies have warned European diplomats about the presence of hundreds of Russian and Chinese spies in Brussels, the German publication Welt reported , citing knowledgeable diplomats. According to them, undercover agents are especially frequent in steakhouses and cafes near the administrative offices of the EU in Brussels.

More. According to the European External Action Service, there are about 250 Chinese and 200 Russian spies in the EU capital, sources say. Agents work mainly in embassies and trade missions of their countries, intelligence agencies believe.

Diplomats have been advised not to visit some areas of Brussels, including a popular steakhouse and cafe near the main building of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.
were more common in Brussels , the special services note. Earlier , Russian agents
In addition to Russia and China , the United States and Morocco are also suspected of active espionage in Brussels, writes Welt. It is widely known in Brussels that undercover agents can be attachés who accompany diplomats to receptions at their embassies.

Context. In November, Austria exposed a retired Austrian colonel: the country's defense ministry suspected him of spying for Russia for 20 years. During this time, the former colonel, whose name is not called, earned about €300,000.

The threat from Russian agents is also felt in the UK. In November, the British analytical center Henry Jackson Society published a report in which he said that not only officers of the Russian special services (FSB, SVR and GRU) are engaged in espionage in the country, but also Russian emigrants cooperating with them.
In March 2018, an assassination attempt was made on the life of former GRU officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, Britain. British authorities believe that Russian military intelligence officers Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were behind the poisoning.

Liana Faizova