October 2018 Intelligence News

China Likely Stealing Russian Intellectual Property to Develop Weapons - Bolton Sputnik 31 Oct 2018 -- China is most likely stealing Russian intellectual property in order to sell copycat weapons systems for a lower price at some point in the future, Bolton said in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
Air Force Reserve Command activates first ISR Wing AFNS 30 Oct 2018 -- Born out of necessity in 2012, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group embraced its destiny to restructure as a wing during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Oct. 20.
Chinese Intelligence Officers and Their Recruited Hackers and Insiders Conspired to Steal Sensitive Commercial Aviation and Technological Data for Years US Dept. of Justice 30 Oct 2018 -- Chinese intelligence officers and those working under their direction, which included hackers and co-opted company insiders, conducted or otherwise enabled repeated intrusions into private companies' computer systems in the United States and abroad for over five years. The conspirators' ultimate goal was to steal, among other data, intellectual property and confidential business information, including information related to a turbofan engine used in commercial airliners.
Chinese intel officers charged with trying to steal US aviation data Press TV 30 Oct 2018 -- A group of Chinese intelligence officers have been charged in the United States with hacking into private companies' computer systems in an effort to steal aviation data.
FY18 Military Intelligence Program Top line budget DoD 30 Oct 2018 -- The Department of Defense released today the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) appropriated top line budget for fiscal year 2018. The total MIP budget, which included both the base budget and Overseas Contingency Operations appropriations, was $22.1 billion.
US Budgets $22.1Bln for Military Intelligence Programs in 2018 – Pentagon Sputnik 30 Oct 2018 -- The US budget for military intelligence in fiscal 2018, which ended on September 30, was $22.1 billion, the Department of Defense disclosed in a press release on Tuesday.
China denies spying on Trump's cellphone, tells him to use Huawei Press TV 26 Oct 2018 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has dismissed a New York Times report claiming that China and Russia are spying on US President Donald Trump's cellphone, satirically suggesting the use of Chinese Huawei phones for added security.
Haspel briefs Trump on Turkish evidence on Khashoggi's death Press TV 25 Oct 2018 -- CIA Director Gina Haspel has briefed US President Donald Trump after reportedly listening to "compelling" audio recording which captured the killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
CIA Chief Reportedly Listens to Tape of Khashoggi's Death VOA 25 Oct 2018 -- U.S. CIA Director Gina Haspel, who traveled to Turkey to investigate the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has reportedly listened to the audio recording of his torture and killing, The Washington Post said Wednesday.
CIA Director Gina Haspel in Turkey to investigate Khashoggi murder Press TV 25 Oct 2018 -- The Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Gina Haspel has listened to audio allegedly capturing the interrogation and killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Court Rejects Early Release For Former Russian Intelligence Officer RFE/RL 25 Oct 2018 -- A court in Russia's Republic of Mordovia in the Volga region has refused to approve the early release of a former Russian intelligence officer jailed for treason.
Switzerland to Probe 2 Russians Suspected of "Espionage" on Spiez Chemical Lab Sputnik 24 Oct 2018 -- The Federal Council has ordered a probe follwing reports that two Russian nationals had allegedly conducted an attack on a chemical laboratory in Spiez that examines nerve agents such as the infamous "Novichok," something that Russia adamantly denies.
Pence Confirms CIA Director in Turkey to Review Evidence in Khashoggi Murder Sputnik 23 Oct 2018 -- The director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Gina Haspel, is currently in Turkey to review evidence in connection with the alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, US Vice President Mike Pence confirmed on Tuesday.
CIA Chief Traveling to Turkey Over Khashoggi Case - Reports Sputnik 23 Oct 2018 -- CIA Director Gina Haspel departed for Turkey on Monday to work on the case of dead Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.
CIA Director Travels to Turkey Over Death of Saudi Journalist VOA 22 Oct 2018 -- U.S. media reports say CIA director Gina Haspel is traveling to Istanbul to meet with Turkish officials who are investigating the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Norway Frees Russian Spy Suspect, As Moscow Demands Apology RFE/RL 20 Oct 2018 -- Norway has freed a Russian suspected of spying, as Moscow demanded an apology from Oslo.
Norway To Free Russian Spy Suspect RFE/RL 19 Oct 2018 -- Norway is to release a Russian suspected of spying, the country's intelligence agency, the PST, has said, adding that it had withdrawn its appeal against his release.
Former FBI Agent Sentenced for Leaking Classified Information US Dept. of Justice 18 Oct 2018 -- Terry J. Albury, 39, a former Special Agent of the FBI, was sentenced today to 48 months in the District of Minnesota in connection with his unauthorized disclosure and retention of classified national defense information.
Former FBI Agent Sentenced for Leaking Documents VOA 18 Oct 2018 -- A former Minnesota FBI agent who admitted to leaking classified documents to a journalist was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison and three years of supervision after his release.
Former U.S. Senate Employee Pleads Guilty to False Statements Charge US Dept. of Justice 15 Oct 2018 -- Longtime Director of Security for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Admits Lying to FBI About Disclosing Information to Reporter
'UK's top spy agency viewed blacks as threat' Press TV 15 Oct 2018 -- Britain's internal spying apparatus, the MI5, viewed black people as security risk and refused to give them sensitive positions, the agency's declassified documents have revealed.
MI5 Avoided Recruiting Black Spies in the 60s, Citing 'Security Risk' - Reports Sputnik 15 Oct 2018 -- The head of MI5 at the time is said to have remarked that the risks of employing "coloured staff" originated "simply from the colour of a man's skin, which gives him a chip on his shoulder," adding that "It would be a long time before this chip is removed."
US-led intelligence alliance builds coalition to counter China Press TV 14 Oct 2018 -- The Five Eyes US-led intelligence alliance has started to exchange classified information on China's foreign activities with other nations concerned about Beijing's growing power, according to a report.
Pakistan Fires Judge Who Accused Spy Agency Of Manipulating Elections RFE/RL 13 Oct 2018 -- Pakistan has fired a senior judge who accused the country's powerful spy agency of manipulating elections in July.
UK Refuses to Comment on Reports About Increased Intel Exchange on Russia, China Sputnik 12 Oct 2018 -- The UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) on Friday refused to comment to Sputnik on reports that the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which London is a member of, has been exchanging classified information on China's foreign activities with like-minded states since the beginning of the year.
UK National Detained in UAE for 5 Months on Spying Charges - Reports Sputnik 11 Oct 2018 -- A UK citizen Matthew Hedges has been held in solitary confinement in the United Arab Emirates for five months because of spying accusations, The Times newspaper reported.
Chinese Intelligence Officer Charged with Economic Espionage Involving Theft of Trade Secrets from Leading U.S. Aviation Companies US Dept. of Justice 10 Oct 2018 -- A Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) operative, Yanjun Xu, aka Qu Hui, aka Zhang Hui, has been arrested and charged with conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from multiple U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. Xu was extradited to the United States yesterday.
'Unprecedented': Chinese Intel Officer Extradited to US Over Economic Espionage Sputnik 10 Oct 2018 -- Chinese Ministry of State Security officer Yanjun Xu was extradited to the United States on Tuesday, where he was charged with attempting to steal trade secrets from US aerospace and aviation firms, the US Justice Department announced Wednesday.
US Charges Chinese Spy Over Aviation Secrets VOA 10 Oct 2018 -- The United States has charged a Chinese spy with trying to steal trade secrets from some of the country's top aviation and aerospace companies.
Russian Novichok Suspects Shadowed Skripal In Prague, Report Says RFE/RL 10 Oct 2018 -- The two Russian men suspected by British intelligence of poisoning Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in England in March shadowed the former double agent in Prague in 2014, Czech Radio (CR) has cited sources as saying.
Russian Website Names Third Person Allegedly Involved In Skripal Poisoning RFE/RL 10 Oct 2018 -- Russian website fontanka.ru says a GRU military intelligence operative whose name is Sergei Fedotov is allegedly the third Russian agent involved in trying to kill former spy Sergei Skripal in Britain earlier this year.
Czech Media Claim Salisbury Case Suspects Spied on Skripal in Country in 2014 Sputnik 10 Oct 2018 -- Cesky Rozhlas media reported Wednesday, citing Czech intel sources, that Russian citizens Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov accused by London of poisoning ex-officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, visited the Czech Republic in October 2014, where Skripal himself was supposed to arrive at the same time.
Pakistan Appoints New Head Of ISI Intelligence Agency RFE/RL 10 Oct 2018 -- Pakistan has appointed a new head for its main intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) service.
BrahMos Scientist Arrested for Spying, Was Honey-Trapped on Internet – Police Sputnik 10 Oct 2018 -- The arrested scientist, Nishant Agarwal, had been working at the production facility that makes propellants for the nuclear-capable BrahMos missiles and houses sensitive information on the program.
Bellingcat: Second Novichok Suspect Also Honored By Putin As 'Hero Of Russia' RFE/RL 09 Oct 2018 -- Cybersleuthing group Bellingcat says it has found that two men that Britain suspects of poisoning former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were awarded Hero of the Russian Federation medals by President Vladimir Putin four years ago for conducting covert operations in Ukraine.
Bellingcat Claims Alleged Salisbury Suspect Bestowed Hero of Russia in 2014 Sputnik 09 Oct 2018 -- UK-based investigative blogger group Bellingcat presented on Tuesday a report claiming that "trained military doctor" Alexander Mishkin, the alleged true identity of Skripal poisoning suspect Alexander Petrov, received the Hero of the Russian Federation Award in 2014.
Unmasking of 2nd Alleged Skripal Poisoner May Prompt Kremlin Purge of GRU VOA 09 Oct 2018 -- The unmasking of a second Russian intelligence officer suspected of carrying out a nerve-agent attack in England earlier this year is prompting behind-the-scenes fury in the Kremlin, which is likely to respond by purging the senior ranks of Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, Russian media is reporting.
US Drone Spotted Flying Near Russian Border Second Time in Two Days Sputnik 08 Oct 2018 -- Late last week, a US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk flew around Russia's northwestern borders for eleven hours.
Dutch espionage allegation against 4 Russians result of 'misunderstanding': FM Lavrov Press TV 08 Oct 2018 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the four Russian nationals, who were detained and expelled by the Dutch authorities on suspicion of espionage, had been on a "routine" trip, stressing that they had not done anything illegal and their expulsion from the Netherlands had been a "misunderstanding."
Bellingcat Names Second Skripal Poisoning Suspect As Russian GRU Agent RFE/RL 08 Oct 2018 -- Investigative website Bellingcat has identified the second suspect in the nerve-agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain as a military doctor employed by Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.
Russia Says Suspected Spy Actions Were Routine Dutch Trip RFE/RL 08 Oct 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected accusations made by the Dutch authorities against suspected Russian spies.
Indian Scientist Arrested on Suspicion of Leaking BrahMos Details to Pakistan Sputnik 08 Oct 2018 -- BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia and is considered the world's fastest missile to date.
US Drone Reportedly Spotted Near Russian Borders...Again Sputnik 07 Oct 2018 -- Earlier, the US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane was spotted near Crimea and neighboring Krasnodar Territory.
Alleged Russian Hackers Suspected of Stealing Belgian Report on Ukraine - Report Sputnik 05 Oct 2018 -- Russian hackers who allegedly sabotaged the computer systems of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Netherlands may be responsible for stealing a confidential report on Ukraine from the Belgian Foreign Ministry in 2014, the Belga news agency reported on Friday.
Canada - King Air 350ER ISR Aircraft (Manned Airborne, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MAISR) Platform) DSCA 04 Oct 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of three (3) King Air 350ER (extended range) aircraft with customer unique post-modifications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 3, 2018.
U.S. Charges Russian GRU Officers with International Hacking and Related Influence and Disinformation Operations US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2018 -- Conspirators Included a Russian Intelligence "Close Access" Hacking Team that Traveled Abroad to Compromise Computer Networks Used by Anti-Doping and Sporting Officials and Organizations Investigating Russia's Use of Chemical Weapons
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers Delivers Remarks on the Unsealing of an Indictment Against Russian GRU Officers for Various Malicious Cyber Activities US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2018
Russian Hackers Indicted FBI 04 Oct 2018 -- Seven Russian government operatives have been charged with hacking into the computer networks of organizations working to investigate and stop Russian athletic doping, just after Russia was banned from the Olympics due to state-sponsored doping revelations. The hackers also allegedly targeted other international entities seen as thwarting Russia's strategic interests.
Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Russian cyber attacks NATO 04 Oct 2018 -- The Netherlands briefed NATO Defence Ministers today on the targeting of the offices of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague by a hostile cyber operation. The operation was carried out by the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, but was disrupted by Dutch intelligence services in partnership with the UK. Moreover, the UK has identified the GRU as being behind a number of other cyber-attacks around the world. These have affected citizens in many countries, including Russia, and caused enormous economic costs.
NATO Supports UK, Dutch Cyberattack Accusations Against Russia - Stoltenberg Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- NATO stands in solidarity with London and Amsterdam in their accusations against Russia of conducting cyberattacks and urges Moscow to change its behavior, the alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, stated.
UK accuses Russia of fostering instability throughout the world Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt has accused Russia of fostering instability around the world after allegations emerged showing that Russians were behind a hacking scheme that could affect the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Russia accuses West of cyber mania over claims of hacking attack on OPCW Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- Russia has accused the West of "spy mania," after Dutch security services alleged they had foiled a purported cyber attack by four Russian nationals on the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
UK blames Russian military intel for cyber attacks Press TV 04 Oct 2018 -- The United Kingdom is pointing the finger at the Russian military intelligence for a number of "reckless" cyber attacks in recent years.
Dutch, U.S. Authorities Target Russian Military Intelligence, Alleging Wide Hacking Campaign RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Dutch and U.S. authorities have accused Russia's military intelligence agency of involvement in a multifaceted, multinational hacking campaign that targeted global anti-doping agencies, the international chemical weapons watchdog, and other entities.
Britain Accuses Russia's GRU Of 'Reckless' Cyberattacks On Western Targets RFE/RL 04 Oct 2018 -- Britain is accusing Russian military intelligence of being behind a host of recent cyberattacks seeking to undermine critical Western institutions from sports and transportation authorities to election processes.
Moscow Responds to Washington's New Hacking Accusations: 'Dangerous Path' Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The United States is "poisoning" the atmosphere of Russia-US relations with new unfounded accusations against Russia, taking a dangerous path to fuel tensions between the two nuclear powers, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday.
Chinese Spy Chips Discovered in Apple, Amazon Data Centers, Report Claims Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Bloomberg Businessweek, which published an exclusive report Thursday based on a lengthy investigation, said that Chinese hacking was "the most significant known supply chain attack ever against US companies." Meanwhile, Apple, Amazon Web Services and Super Micro Computer dispute the report.
Finnish Intel to Get Access to Citizens' Private Communications Soon - Ministry Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- The access of Finnish intelligence services to citizens' private communications will be eased after October 15 in cases related to national security threats, the country's Justice Ministry said on Thursday.
UK Intelligence May Have Given Agents Legal Immunity to Commit Torture - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK domestic intelligence agency MI5 may have given its agents legal immunity to commit torture and other criminal acts, The Guardian newspaper reported.
US Charges 7 Alleged Russian Military Intel Officers Over Hacking OPCW, WADA Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- Earlier in the day, the Netherlands stated that the United States was going to announce charges against some "Russian intelligence agents." Moscow has yet to comment on the US charges.
UK Envoy Claims Russia Tried to Compromise Foreign Office After Salisbury Attack Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK Ambassador to the Netherlands Peter Wilson claimed on Thursday that the Main Directorate of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces (formerly known as the GRU) had allegedly tried to compromise the computer systems of the UK Foreign Office and the country's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory after the Salisbury case.
Dutch authorities brief world chemical weapons watchdog on alleged Russian cyber attack UN News 04 Oct 2018 -- The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Thursday, over allegations that a cyber attack was being plotted in April, against the headquarters of the OPCW, orchestrated by Russia.
US Says Russians Hacked Doping Agencies, Other Organizations VOA 04 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday that it had charged seven Russian intelligence officers with hacking the computer networks of international anti-doping agencies, as well as organizations investigating Russia's use of chemical agents.
UK Government Accuses Russian Intelligence of Cyberattacks Sputnik 04 Oct 2018 -- UK has accused Russian military intelligence of directing cyberattacks basing on work by UK National Cyber Security Centre.
Putin says ex-Russia spy poisoned in Britain was a 'scumbag' Press TV 03 Oct 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at Western governments for their designation of a former Moscow spy poisoned in Britain as innocent, saying Sergei Skripal was simply a "scumbag" who committed treason by revealing confidential information about his country.
Putin Calls Poisoned Former Double Agent Skripal A 'Traitor' And A 'Scumbag' RFE/RL 03 Oct 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at Sergei Skripal, the former Russian intelligence officer whom Britain accuses Moscow of poisoning with a weapons-grade nerve agent in England, calling him a "traitor" and a "scumbag."
Former Russian Spy Finds It Hard to Accept Moscow Tried to Kill Him VOA 03 Oct 2018 -- Poisoned former spy Sergei Skripal has found it difficult to accept the Russian government tried to have him killed earlier this year, according to a new book published this week by a BBC journalist.
US jails Chinese woman for smuggling military secrets Press TV 02 Oct 2018 -- A Chinese woman has been jailed in the United States after pleading guilty to smuggling sensitive space and military communications technology back to China, the US Justice Department says.
Photo At Russian Military Academy Adds To Evidence About Skripal Poisoning Suspect RFE/RL 02 Oct 2018 -- A photograph on display at a Russian military academy is adding to the growing evidence identifying a Russian military intelligence officer who was allegedly involved in the poisoning of a former double agent in England.
France Freezes Iranian Intelligence Assets In Sign Of Worsening Relations RFE/RL 02 Oct 2018 -- France says it has frozen the assets of Iran's Ministry of Security and Intelligence, as well as of two Iranian men thought to be members of the country's intelligence service, in a sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries.
French Gov't Says Freezing of Iran's Assets Linked to Foiled Attack Sputnik 02 Oct 2018 -- The news comes a day after a German court ruled to extradite Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi, who is suspected to be an intelligence agent, to Belgium, as he had allegedly attempted to stage a terrorist attack.

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