As many as half of the 150,000 Russian citizens in London are allegedly informants, according to a new study by the Henry Jackson Society thinktank. The report has not failed in causing a new wave of “spy hysteria” in British media.
The 75,000 alleged informants are also actively assisting Moscow’s secret service. The study also warned of a huge increase of Russian case officers in the UK over the past eight years, with 200 officers handling an estimated 500 agents.
The report also claimed that approximately 50% of Russian Embassy diplomats are also allegedly actively engaged in intelligence work.
The report also claims that the number of spies outnumbers that of Cold War Levels. The Telegraph cited Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB colonel who was a double agent for MI6, estimated there were 39 Soviet case officers in 1985.
The modern spies, according to the Telegraph could be either staff that is working in the embassy in London or covert operatives who use false identities to pose as Britons or Russian nationals living in the UK.
The report said: “The primary task for Russia’s spies is to gather intelligence on individuals who currently occupy, or previously occupied, positions of influence and power, particularly those who are consequential to Russian affairs.”
“Russia’s embassy in Kensington currently maintains a staff of 56 diplomats, around half of whom, government sources suggest, are believed to be engaged in intelligence work – both declared and undeclared,” the report added.
The thinktank called for the Government to redouble its efforts in combating “the threat posed by Russia.” Furthermore, it called for officials to consider revoking Parliamentary access to media outlets who “play host to Russian spies.”
Andrew Foxall, the report’s author, said the study “shines a light upon the activities of Russia’s cloistered intelligence agencies in Britain. The threat they pose harks back to a darker age.” He added that alleged Russian spies are also partaking in other operations, not just “assassinations” such as the poisoning of Skripal. “Instead, they are busy delivering Russia’s full suite of “active measures” as part of a broad and malevolent effort to undermine our society,” he said.
“For too long, Britain’s security policy has been premised upon the naïve assumption that Russia has given up its Cold-War mind-set. This report shows that Russia’s spycraft is just as audacious as it has ever been.”
The former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove backed the report, saying that it “forcefully reminds us that Russian intelligence activity in the West is still large scale and intrusive, and that we need to devote significant resources and expertise ourselves to monitoring and blunting this threat to our national security. As during the Cold War, an effective counterintelligence capability remains an essential part of our own intelligence and security community.”
The Russian embassy in London dismissed the study as “political paranoia” in a tweet.
Vladimir Ashurkov, a Russian political figure also supported the claims presented by the report. The Times presented Ashurkov as a “Russian expat.” However, in 2014 he was charged by Russia’s Investigative Committee with embezzlement of funds from Alexei Navalny’s 2013 mayoral campaign. He applied for political asylum in Great Britain, claiming that the charges were politically motivated.
The method in which the study discovered the “facts” it presents hasn’t been disclosed. However, the hysteria about “Russian spies,” “Russian aggression,” as well as “secret Russian military bases” shows no sign of stopping. Sooner, rather than later it wouldn’t be surprising if it became so common that outlets, especially British ones began reporting when a Russian citizen is discovered to not be an alleged spy, since those individuals appear to be a minority.
The name of that disease is ” PARANOIA ” !
MAYBE SPYING ON PEDOPHILES IN LONDON
Aarrgghh! We’re living in an Idiocracy. As in the movie of that name.
That sums up my feelings and thoughts perfectly. Thank you as I was going to blow my lid.
” “The primary task for Russia’s spies ( in the UK ) is to gather intelligence ” :)
There is little ‘ intelligence ‘ within the ruling classes of Britain left to collect in my opinion Al :)
Wow, so there is still some !!.
what about the other nationalities within don`t they spy too?
You stupid bastards embarrassing my Country and my people. I want all politicians, NGOs and idiots that spew BS like the above eradicated. Christ, it is like being in kindergarten.
It is to increase surveillance of Brits! (See my comment below for details!) ;)
We know. We can see it on the roads, the way they are forcing us to go cashless and so on and so on.
Dont worry, payment day is coming, when the idiots in Antifa and all other groups find out they are infiltrated and suddenly understand there is only 1 enemy on the battlefield.
PS Good comment below, by the way.
Cheers.
If you are Russian, and not Jewish, Britain is an extremely dangerous place to be.
I would suggest the 50% claim by the Zionist Henry Jackson society is based on religion, that is if you’re a Jew, you can be trusted, if not a Jew, you are the enemy.
Anglo-zionist crap, … Always blaming others of their own work methods, crimes and tactics. They are so arrogant and disdain that they cannot see how they are unmasking themselves turn after turn. Ugly and evil scum bags!
This is a recruitment campaign. You’ll see that there will be scores queuing to join the British secret services, where, to their disappointment, they will be assigned to spying on their own people and not Russians. If they were really put to spy on Russians it would become abundantly clear that there is no threat, so that job will be always reserved to the “experts” (who assure us that the threat is incredible). In the meantime “keep an eye” on those subversive groups that talk about “sovereignty” or “freedom” or “Brexit” or “society”, and in particular anyone who criticises Israel making them automatically an antisemitic trash.
Hey Brits, you are becoming a super-surveillance state through collective paranoia. When are you going to start the fightback against your moronic leaders who wouldn’t know their a#% from their elbow, and who will take you over the cliff real soon? Don’t leave it all to Corbin.
this makes the most sense out of all these responses..
Isn’t that the entire thought behind all embassies?
Only half?
Come now Russia – that’s a serious waste of good spy-power!
Surely you have some unemployed Russians who could use a job as case officers – it’s not like the job will require much in the brains dept either. (It’s the UK – no brains to speak off.)
yes and every chinese is a spy also. in fact africa ountries are spying a lor if they are not enriching themselves as the Israelis or the Arabs, whatever same teibe, different viewpoint.
Lets just glass it over, no more ME conflict, no more British bankers just a dull glassy plain ideal for rollerskating, if you could bear the fall out…..