About: covert action
New evidence in Ukraine journalist’s murder
Police in Ukraine have received new evidence that may help identify those who ordered the murder of award-winning investigative journalist Pavel Sheremet in 2016.
Navalny says he pranked secret agent into confirming his murder plot
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Monday (21 December) he had tricked a Russian secret agent into disclosing details of the botched plot to kill him and had been told that poison had been placed in his underpants.
EU urges restraint after killing of Iranian nuclear scientist
The spokesperson of EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell urged all sides on Saturday (28 November) to show restraint after the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist and avoid escalating tensions that could derail any talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
Austria to file charges against Turkish spy
Austria will file charges against a person who has confessed to spying for Turkey's secret service, and authorities are investigating more suspected espionage activities, its interior minister said, warning Turkey this would not be tolerated.
‘Bulgarian connection’ investigated in Navalny poisoning
German medical specialists are investigating similarities between the attempted poisoning of a Bulgarian businessman and his son in 2015 and the recent poisoning of Russian opposition frontman Alexei Navalny, who is being treated in a Berlin hospital.
Friends again: Belarus hands 32 detained ‘mercenaries’ over to Russia
Russia on Friday (14 August) announced the safe return of 32 of its citizens after Belarus detained them saying they were mercenaries sent to destabilise the country ahead of Sunday's presidential election.
Slovakia expels three Russian diplomats, link to Berlin murder reported
Slovakia said on Monday (10 August) it has expelled three staff at the Russian embassy in Bratislava whilst citing an abuse of Slovak visas, which local media said was linked with a murder of a Georgian man in Berlin last year.
Belarus leader claims opposition ‘massacre’ plot ahead of vote
Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday (4 August) accused the opposition and Russia of planning violent unrest and vowed to defend his regime as early voting began in presidential elections.
Russia and Belarus at odds over arrest of suspected mercenaries
A dispute between Moscow and Minsk over the detention of more than 30 men who Belarus accused of being Russian mercenaries is dragging on, as the two sides contradicted each other about the group’s plans.
German prosecutors accuse Russia of ordering murder in Berlin
German federal prosecutors accused Russia on Thursday (18 June) of ordering the killing of a former Chechen rebel in Berlin last summer and indicted a Russian man for the murder, which has severely strained diplomatic ties.
US intelligence told lawmakers Russia tries to help Trump’s re-election
US intelligence officials told lawmakers last week that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election campaign by aiming to cast doubt on the integrity of the vote and boost President Donald Trump’s re-election, a person familiar with the briefing said on Thursday (20 February).
Russian spy agency played role in Berlin murder of Georgian man: Bellingcat
Russia’s FSB security service planned and organized the murder of a Georgian man in Berlin last summer, a killing that triggered diplomatic expulsions from Germany and Moscow, the investigative website Bellingcat said on Monday (17 February).
US envoy warns Russia seeks to divide Balkans
The US envoy for the Western Balkans warned on Tuesday (11 February) that Russia is seeking to divide the region and hinder its integration with the West.
Bulgaria accuses two more Russian diplomats of spying
Bulgarian officials said Friday (24 January) that two Russian diplomats spied in the EU member country and would probably be expelled.
Bulgaria indicts three Russian nationals for Skripal-type attempted murder
After years of foot-dragging, Bulgarian prosecutors on Wednesday (23 January) indicted three Russian nationals for allegedly attempting to poison the owner of a Bulgarian arms factory and his son in 2015.
UK, Dutch spy agencies curb intel flow to Austria over Russia ties
British and Dutch spy agencies have heavily restricted the amount of intelligence they share with Austria, mainly because of ties between the ruling far-right Freedom Party and Russia, an Austrian opposition lawmaker said on Tuesday (9 April).
Iranian spy service suspected of assassination plot in Denmark
Denmark said on Tuesday (30 October) it suspected an Iranian government intelligence service had tried to carry out a plot to assassinate an Iranian Arab opposition figure on its soil.
Britain says Russian military intelligence behind host of global cyber attacks
Britain accused Russian military intelligence on Thursday (4 October) of directing a host of cyber-attacks aimed at undermining Western democracies by sowing confusion in everything from sport to transport and the 2016 US presidential election.
Putin says men accused by UK over poisoning are ‘simple people’
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday (12 September) Russia had found the two men accused by British prosecutors of trying to murder ex- Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain, but that there was nothing criminal about them.
US defense chief to visit Macedonia, concerned about Russian ‘mischief’
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday (11 September) he would visit Macedonia before the 30 September referendum on changing the country's name, also expressing concern about suspected Russian interference in the vote, which Moscow denies.
Britain charges two Russians for state-backed plot to kill Skripals
Britain charged two Russians in absentia on Wednesday (5 September) with the attempted murder of a former Russian spy and his daughter, and said the suspects were military intelligence officers almost certainly acting on orders from high up in the...
Europe should counter Iran’s cyber espionage, infiltration, terrorism
The more discord persists in the West over the means of responding to Iranian covert operations, the more impact these operations will have, writes Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
Slovak president sees security risk in ‘Putin’s motorcycle club’ activity
Slovak President Andrej Kiska says a recently established base in his country for a Russian motorcycle club known for its allegiance to the Kremlin presents a security risk for the EU and NATO country.