September 2018 Intelligence News

Russian Investigative Reporter Leaves Country Fearing Prosecution For Work RFE/RL 29 Sep 2018 -- A Russian investigative journalist says he has left the country fearing possible prosecution for his work.
Third Russian Possibly Involved in Salisbury Poisoning VOA 28 Sep 2018 -- British investigators now say a third Russian military intelligence officer was involved in the poisoning in March this year of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the southern English cathedral town of Salisbury.
Report: Third Alleged Russian Agent Involved In Skripal Mission Identified RFE/RL 28 Sep 2018 -- A third suspected Russian military intelligence officer who carried out a reconnaissance mission before the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter has been identified by British counterterrorism police and the security services, The Telegraph newspaper reported on September 27.
$79 Million 'Global Hawk' Drone Crash Caused By Faulty Data – US Air Force Sputnik 28 Sep 2018 -- A US Air Force Global Hawk drone crashed and destroyed itself last year as a consequence of the aircraft's "erroneous" data, according to an incident investigation report published by the military this week.
Kremlin: No Information of Anyone Named Chepiga Ever Awarded by Putin Sputnik 28 Sep 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that he had verified media reports about a state award handed out to Anatoly Chepiga – alleged by UK investigative bloggers from Bellingcat to be the real name of Ruslan Boshirov, a suspect in the Skripal poisoning case.
UK-Based Bellingcat, The Insider to Issue 'Information About Petrov' - Reports Sputnik 28 Sep 2018 -- The UK-based investigative blogger group Bellingcat and The Insider Russia media outlet are going to issue information about the real identity of Alexander Petrov, who is suspected by London of being involved in the Salisbury incident, within 7-10 days, The Guardian newspaper reported on Friday.
Russia to look into new claims on UK poisoning suspects Press TV 27 Sep 2018 -- Russian authorities say they will investigate claims in the British media that one of the two men accused of a poisoning attack on a double spy in southern England in March was a Russian colonel.
'Complete Nonsense': How Russia Is Countering A New Report On The Salisbury Poisoning Suspect RFE/RL 27 Sep 2018 -- The Russian government and media are casting doubt on a new report claiming to reveal the true identity of a Russian man Britain accuses of the nerve-agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in southern England.
Frontex Starts Testing Drones to Monitor EU External Borders Sputnik 27 Sep 2018 -- The European Border and Coast Guard Agency said on Thursday that it has started testing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Italy, Greece and Portugal as part of a border monitoring mission.
Russia Derides New Claims in Skripal Poisoning VOA 27 Sep 2018 -- Moscow has responded derisively to a report by a Britiain-based investigative group claiming one of the two men suspected of poisoning ex-spy Sergei Skripal is a highly decorated colonel in Russian military intelligence.
Activist Verzilov 'Convinced' He Was Poisoned By Russian Secret Services RFE/RL 27 Sep 2018 -- Russian dissident activist Pyotr Verzilov, who was discharged from a German hospital this week after making significant progress in his recovery, says he is "convinced" he was poisoned by Russia's intelligence services.
Chinese citizen in US arrested for acting as foreign agent Press TV 26 Sep 2018 -- US authorities have arrested a Chinese citizen living in Chicago over accusations of spying on American engineers and scientists, including defense contractors, on behalf of the Chinese government.
Salisbury Poisoning Suspect Named As Russian Colonel RFE/RL 26 Sep 2018 -- The real identity of one of the two Russians blamed by Britain for the Salisbury nerve-agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is Anatoly Chepiga, the investigative website Bellingcat says, adding that he was a decorated Russian colonel.
U.S. Case Involved Alleged Russian Intelligence Theft Through Kaspersky RFE/RL 26 Sep 2018 -- A U.S. intelligence worker has been sentenced to prison for transferring top-secret material to a home computer that was allegedly accessed by Russian intelligence through Kaspersky software.
Russian Officer Named in Britain Nerve Agent Poisoning VOA 26 Sep 2018 -- A group of British investigative journalists have identified a highly decorated member of the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) as one of two men accused of trying to assassinate an ex-Russian spy and his daughter in Britain earlier this year.
Chinese National Arrested for Allegedly Acting Within the United States as an Illegal Agent of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2018 -- Ji Chaoqun, 27, a Chinese citizen residing in Chicago, was arrested in Chicago today for allegedly acting within the United States as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China.
Former NSA Employee Sentenced to Prison for Willful Retention of Classified National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 25 Sep 2018 -- Nghia Hoang Pho, 68, of Ellicott City, Maryland, and a naturalized U.S. citizen originally of Vietnam, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for willful retention of classified national defense information. According to court documents, Pho removed massive troves of highly classified national defense information without authorization and kept it at his home.
UK Charity Asks Intel Agencies to Explain Reasons for Unlawful Spying on Staff Sputnik 25 Sep 2018 -- UK-based NGO Privacy International said Tuesday it had sent a letter to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid asking him to instruct UK intelligence agencies to explain reasons for unlawful spying on the organization.
Russia Summons Norway's Ambassador After Arrest Of Man On Espionage Charges RFE/RL 24 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned Norway's ambassador to protest the arrest of a Russian citizen outside Oslo on suspicion of spying.
US Looking to Place More Spies Worldwide VOA 24 Sep 2018 -- The United States' premier spy agency is looking to expand its presence around the globe in order to eliminate so-called "intelligence gaps" and take on the growing threat from major powers like Russia and China.
Norway Detains Russian Man On Espionage Charges RFE/RL 23 Sep 2018 -- Norwegian authorities say they have detained a Russian citizen on suspicion of illegal intelligence activities.
Bellingcat Claims Petrov, Boshirov Were Busted in Netherlands Earlier Sputnik 21 Sep 2018 -- While the investigators appeared eager to publish their latest findings about the travels of the two men allegedly involved in the Skripal affair, the Dutch authorities are yet to comment on this development.
Bellingcat Says Data 'Confirms' Skripal Suspects Had Links To Russian Military Intelligence RFE/RL 20 Sep 2018 -- The independent Bellingcat research organization claims to have more information that the two men suspected in the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal have links to Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU.
Major changes could affect your security clearance Army News 19 Sep 2018 -- As of July 27, the Department of Defense will continuously monitor individual's security eligibility through the new Continuous Evaluation program. This new policy mandates that individuals who hold a security clearance will be continuously evaluated to determine if they meet the requirements to maintain that clearance. The security clearance renewal due every six to 10 years is still in effect.
Widow of Poisoned Spy: UK Has Upped Response to Would-Be Assassins VOA 19 Sep 2018 -- The widow of an ex-KGB agent who was poisoned by a radioactive isotope in 2006 says Britain's swift medical and diplomatic response to the recent nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter shows some improvement by British officials.
Name Your Poison: Exotic Toxins Fell Kremlin Foes RFE/RL 18 Sep 2018 -- The suspected poisoning of anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov in Moscow -- just a few months after nerve-agent poisonings in Britain that led to one death and left three others severely ill -- conjures up memories of other Kremlin foes who have fallen victim to toxic attacks in the Vladimir Putin era and previously.
Defense Intel Chief Puts Great Power Competition in Context AFPS 18 Sep 2018 -- People told the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency that in his speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies he should just say "Great power competition, artificial intelligence" and then drop the mic and walk off.
U.K. Judge Rules Spy Evidence On Dead Russian Businessman Should Stay Secret RFE/RL 18 Sep 2018 -- Material about possible links between British spy agencies and a Russian businessman who died in mysterious circumstances in Britain nearly six years ago will remain secret, a judge has ruled.
Germany's Intel Chief Dismissed Over Migration Dispute With Merkel - Reports Sputnik 18 Sep 2018 -- Head of the German domestic intelligence agency Hans-Georg Maassen previously faced harsh criticism after he expressed doubts over the authenticity of the footage showing alleged attacks by right-wing activists on migrants in Chemnitz.
German Spymaster Ousted Over Anti-Migrant Violence VOA 18 Sep 2018 -- The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency has been transferred from his job just weeks after he made remarks that appeared to downplay anti-migrant violence.
Yemen busts espionage network affiliated to UAE IRNA 17 Sep 2018 -- The Interior Ministry of the national salvation government of Yemen announced Sunday night that it had busted a espionage network linked to the intelligence service of the United Arab Emirates.
Stop spying, sabotage activities against mainland: China to Taiwan Press TV 17 Sep 2018 -- Beijing says Taiwan has "significantly increased" its spying activities against mainland China, calling on the self-ruled island to swiftly stop such "infiltration" and "sabotage" attempts.
Taiwan rebuts Chinese allegations of espionage as fake news CNA 17 Sep 2018 -- The Presidential Office hit back Monday at Beijing over Chinese media accusations that Taiwanese intelligence agents have been recruiting Chinese students studying in Taiwan to spy for China, saying the reports are misinformation aimed at undermining relations across the Taiwan Strait.
Switzerland Demands Russia 'End Illegal Activities' After Two Suspected Spy Cases RFE/RL 17 Sep 2018 -- A diplomatic war of words between Switzerland and Russia has intensified, with the Swiss demanding that Moscow cease spying activities on its territory after two suspected espionage cases came to light in recent days.
Russia Calls Swiss Accusations Regarding Security Service Activity Absurd Sputnik 17 Sep 2018 -- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on Monday that he wanted to discuss the matter regarding two Russian nationals suspected of spying on the Spiez laboratory near Bern at his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov next week, the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported on Monday.
Bern Curtails Russian Diplomats, Alleges Wrongdoing - Swiss Foreign Ministry Sputnik 17 Sep 2018 -- Switzerland has tightened the procedure for accrediting Russian diplomats, due to suspicions of illegal activity, the Swiss Foreign Ministry told Sputnik.
WikiLeaks Denies Reports About Assange's Attempts to Get Russian Visa Sputnik 17 Sep 2018 -- The WikiLeaks founder was accused of rape and molestation days ahead of the bombshell revelation of US diplomatic cables. He claims that the charges are false and invented only to arrest him so he can be deported to the US, which seeks his capture over the major leak.
Skripal Poisoning 'Suspects' Have Nothing to Do With Putin - Kremlin Sputnik 16 Sep 2018 -- On September 13, RT released an interview with Petrov and Boshirov, in which they denied any involvement in the Skripal case. The men stressed that they have no connection to the Russian military intelligence service (GRU) and were simply visiting Salisbury as tourists.
Swiss Confirm Russians Tried To Hack Lab Analyzing Skripal Samples RFE/RL 15 Sep 2018 -- The Swiss government has confirmed reports that Dutch authorities had arrested and expelled two suspected Russian spies earlier this year after the two allegedly tried to hack a Swiss laboratory that conducts chemical weapons tests.
Bellingcat: Russian Documents Suggest Novichok Suspects Were Operatives RFE/RL 14 Sep 2018 -- The independent Bellingcat research organization says it has reviewed Russian documents, which indicate that the two men suspected in the poisoning of British spy Sergei Skripal have no records in the Russian resident database prior to 2009, a sign they may be working as operatives for the government.
Novichok Suspects: Gay Or Not Gay? That Is Russian State Media's Question RFE/RL 14 Sep 2018 -- "Living together is merrier and easier, it's normal," explained Ruslan Boshirov as he appeared to defend himself against the suggestion that he and fellow Novichok-poisoning suspect Aleksandr Petrov had slept in the same bed during their March trip to England.
Russia Ready For Serious Talks With London on Skripal Case - Lavrov Sputnik 14 Sep 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that Moscow is prepared to conduct serious talks with London regarding the investigation of the alleged poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
Russians Accused in UK Poisoning: 'Coincidence' They Were in Salisbury VOA 13 Sep 2018 -- Two Russian men accused by Britain of carrying out the March poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, England, said Thursday it was just an "incredible, fatal coincidence" they were in the city at the time of the attack.
UK rejects poisoning suspects' claims, reiterates they were Russia agents Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- Authorities in Britain have rejected claims by two Russians suspected of poisoning a double spy in March in the English town of Salisbury, repeating their previous statements that the pair were Moscow's agents and had carried out the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
Russian Novichok Suspects Claim They Visited Salisbury As Tourists RFE/RL 13 Sep 2018 -- Two men accused by London of poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve agent have told Russia's state-funded RT television station they visited the British city of Salisbury in March as tourists.
Skripal Poisoning "Suspects" Tell Sputnik, RT Editor-in-Chief They're Not Agents Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- The statement comes following an announcement from Sputnik and RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan that the "suspects" in the Skripal poisoning case had agreed to be interviewed by RT and Sputnik.
UK mass spying regime violated human rights: European Court of Human Rights Press TV 13 Sep 2018 -- The UK government's mass surveillance program known as "Big Brother" violated human rights and had "no real safeguards," the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has said in a landmark ruling.
Big Win: Britain's GCHQ Spygrid Violates Right to Privacy, ECHR Rules Sputnik 13 Sep 2018 -- A major court ruling on Thursday said that the UK had violated European law, serving as a victory to privacy advocates worldwide. The news comes days after five nations charged with global surveillance released a memo urging tech companies to use workarounds to internet encryption.
UK slams Putin's account on suspected agents in poisoning case Press TV 12 Sep 2018 -- The British government has slammed Russia's most recent clarifications on a spy poisoning case that has caused bilateral relations to sink to historic lows, saying Moscow has responded with nothing but "lies" to requests for more investigation into the issue.
Putin Says Russia Has Identified U.K.'s Novichok Suspects, Claims They Are Civilians RFE/RL 12 Sep 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia has identified the men Britain suspects of poisoning former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a military-grade nerve agent, contradicting U.K. authorities by claiming they are civilians.
U.K. Will Nab Spy Poisoning Suspects If They Leave Russia, Home Secretary Says RFE/RL 09 Sep 2018 -- Britain will catch two men accused of using the Novichok nerve agent in the English town of Salisbury if they ever step out of Russia, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has said.
France Accuses Russia Of Spying On Military Satellite In Space RFE/RL 08 Sep 2018 -- A Russian satellite attempted last year to spy on a satellite providing secure communications for the French and Italian militaries, French Defense Minister Florence Parly said on September 7.
Confusion Reigns Over Identities of Alleged Russian Hitmen VOA 08 Sep 2018 -- The two Russian hitmen who British authorities accuse of attempting to murder former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia made several European trips – including half-a-dozen to Geneva – in the months leading up to the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
French Defense Ministry Claims Russia Spied on French-Italian Military Satellite Sputnik 07 Sep 2018 -- French Defense Minister Florence Parly has accused Russia of committing "an act of espionage" back in 2017, claiming that a Russian satellite then approached the French-Italian military satellite Athena-Fidus in an attempt to intercept its communications.
UK Spy Chief: London Ready to Counter 'Real Threat' From 'Brazen' Russia Sputnik 07 Sep 2018 -- The GCHQ intelligence chief's warning came hot on the heels of a UN Security Council meeting where the UK envoy claimed that the Salisbury poisoning attack was perpetrated by two GRU officers.
Russia denies involvement in Skripal poisoning, slams UK's 'unacceptable' claim Press TV 06 Sep 2018 -- The Russian government has categorically rejected the UK's "unacceptable" claim that Kremlin had been involved in a nerve agent attack in March on a former spy in Salisbury.
UK minister heaps blame on Putin for Novichok attack Press TV 06 Sep 2018 -- Britain's security minister has directly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for a poisoning attack in March in the southern English city of Salisbury a day after London named two suspects for an incident that has caused relations between the two countries to sink to historic lows.
Britain, Allies Urge Moscow To Accept 'Compelling Evidence' In Novichok Attack RFE/RL 06 Sep 2018 -- Britain, bolstered by strong backing from its allies, condemned Russia at the UN Security Council over the chemical attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on British soil earlier this year, urging Moscow to accept the "compelling evidence in this crime."
British Security Minister Says Putin 'Ultimately Responsible' For Skripal Poisoning RFE/RL 06 Sep 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin bears ultimate responsibility for the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in England in March, Britain's security minister says.
Kremlin Regrets London's Noncooperation With Russia on Skripal Case Sputnik 06 Sep 2018 -- Moscow has once again rejected London's newest claims over the Skripal case. On September 5, the UK police press service revealed photos of alleged suspects in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The two men were said to be Russian nationals.
Putin Bears 'Strong Responsibility' for Skripal Attack - UK Security Minister Sputnik 06 Sep 2018 -- UK Minister of State for Security Ben Wallace said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'bears very strong responsibility' for the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the city of Salisbury.
Russian operatives carried out Salisbury chemical attack alleges UK; accusations part of 'post-truth world' asserts Moscow UN News 06 Sep 2018 -- The United Kingdom and Russia traded a volley of words at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, with the former laying out information which, it alleges, clearly places two Russian military intelligence operatives behind the deadly nerve-agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on 4 March.
Kremlin: UK Accusing Russia in Ex-Spy's Poisoning 'Unacceptable' VOA 06 Sep 2018 -- Russia has again denied involvement in the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter, and said Britain's accusation that Moscow played a role was unacceptable.
Moscow accuses London of 'manipulating information' in nerve agent case Press TV 05 Sep 2018 -- Russia has accused the United Kingdom of "manipulating information" concerning a nerve agent attack in March on a former spy in the city of Salisbury after the British authorities charged two Russians.
U.K. Charges Russians In Novichok Case, May Says 'Not a Rogue Operation' RFE/RL 05 Sep 2018 -- Britain has announced charges against two Russian men they believe poisoned former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a deadly nerve agent, alleging they were military intelligence officers acting with approval from "a senior level of the Russian state."
Estonia Arrests Army Officer, His Father On Suspicion Of Spying For Russia RFE/RL 05 Sep 2018 -- An Estonian Army officer and his father have been arrested on suspicion of treason and spying for Russia, authorities say.
May's Statement on Skripal Case Unacceptable - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 05 Sep 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement, commenting on UK Prime Minister Theresa May's speech concerning new data on the Skripal case that she delivered to Parliament earlier in the day.
May Claims 2 Suspects in Skripal Poisoning Are Officers of Russian Intelligence Sputnik 05 Sep 2018 -- "We were right to say in March the Russian state was responsible," said the UK Prime Minister Theresa May, addressing the Parliament on Wednesday with an update on the Salisbury incident.
British PM: Skripals' Attackers Were Russian Military Agents VOA 05 Sep 2018 -- Two active members of Russian military intelligence were sent to Britain in March to poison a former spy, Britain's prime minister told Parliament on Wednesday after prosecutors charged two Russian nationals with conspiracy and attempted murder.
Chemical Weapons Watchdog Confirms Novichok Killed British Woman RFE/RL 04 Sep 2018 -- The substance that killed a woman in England in June was the same Novichok nerve agent that poisoned a former Russian agent and his daughter in May, the world's chemical weapons watchdog has confirmed.
OPCW Probe Confirms Amesbury Victims Poisoned by Same Substance as Skripals Sputnik 04 Sep 2018 -- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which had been conducting an independent investigation into two poisoning cases, which took place in the United Kingdom, has released a report on what it called "toxic chemical incidents" in Amesbury.
Lithuania Appeals European Court Ruling Over CIA's Secret Prison Case Sputnik 03 Sep 2018 -- The complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the case of terror suspect Abu Zubaydah comes two weeks after Lithuania's representative at the ECHR said that the Baltic country would not appeal the court's ruling since it was unlikely to be changed.
India Looks to Procure Spy Drones to Operate at High Altitudes Sputnik 03 Sep 2018 -- The Indian Army is scouting for a remotely piloted aircraft system with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing properties for providing real-time input in the form of imagery and electronic data to detect and combat foreign military formations and activities at forward bases, especially along the border with China.
US accuses China of 'super aggressive' spy campaign on LinkedIn Press TV 01 Sep 2018 -- The United States has accused Chinese intelligence agencies of using fake LinkedIn accounts in a bid to recruit US citizens who have access to government and commercial secrets.
Seoul Launches New Defense Intelligence Unit to Replace Disgraced DSC - Reports Sputnik 01 Sep 2018 -- South Korea launched on Saturday the newly-established Defense Security Support Command (DSSC) replacing the previous defense intelligence unit, the Defense Security Command (DSC), which has been disbanded amid allegations of its involvement in state affairs, Yonhap news agency reported.

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