Russian Spy Ring Targets Ukrainian Soldiers
ARussian Spy Ring Targets Ukrainian Soldiers
A Russian spy ring operating out of the UK attempted to use advanced surveillance equipment to track the mobile phones of Ukrainian soldiers training at a US airbase in Germany. Authorities stopped the operation after arresting the suspects, preventing a potential blow to Ukraine’s defense.
The Defendants and Their Denials
Katrin Ivanova, 33, and Vanya Gaberova, 30, both Bulgarian nationals living in the UK, deny conspiring to spy. Ivanova also denies possessing multiple false identity documents. Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, also rejects the charges.
Orlin Roussev, 46, from Great Yarmouth, and Biser Dzhambazov, 43, from London, admitted their roles in the conspiracy. Roussev organized the operation, taking orders from Jan Marsalek, an Austrian national acting as a Russian agent.
Surveillance Tactics and Operations
The spy ring allegedly carried out six operations, all intended to benefit the Russian state. The prosecution has already presented evidence on three of these operations:
- Operation 3: Surveillance of Bergey Ryskaliyev
The group tracked Ryskaliyev, a former Kazakh politician in exile in the UK, using black taxis, Deliveroo drivers, and a fake NHS vehicle. - Operation 4: Targeting the Kazakh Embassy
The group planned a staged protest with fake pig’s blood and discussed creating deepfake videos of the son of the President of Kazakhstan. - Operation 5: Surveillance at a US Military Base
The defendants allegedly targeted Ukrainian soldiers at a US base near Stuttgart, Germany, where they were training on the Patriot air defense system. They planned to use a Stealth Catcher IMSI Grabber to collect the personal phone details of Ukrainian troops. This could have given Russia a significant military advantage. - Operation 6: Plot to Kidnap or Kill Kirill Kachur
The group reportedly sought to kidnap or kill Russian dissident Kirill Kachur. The operation involved a surveillance mission led by a Russian spy codenamed “Red Sparrow.”
The Trial
Thousands of messages documenting the details of these operations have surfaced as evidence. While Roussev and Dzhambazov admitted their involvement, the trial now focuses on whether Ivanova, Gaberova, and Ivanchev understood the full nature of their actions.
All three deny the charges, and the trial continues.