March 2022 Intelligence News

National Security Agency Employee Indicted for Willful Transmission and Retention of National Defense Information US Dept. of Justice 31 Mar 2022 -- A Maryland man is charged with willful transmission and retention of National Defense Information (NDI) in an indictment unsealed today in the District of Maryland.
Director GCHQ's speech on global security amid war in Ukraine GCHQ 31 Mar 2022 -- Director GCHQ Sir Jeremy Fleming's full speech from the Australian National University (Thursday 31st March 2022)
French Military Intel Chief Sacked Over 'Lack of Understanding of the Issues' Amid Ukraine Crisis Sputnik 31 Mar 2022 -- France joined its NATO allies in providing military support to Ukraine, committing 300 million euros in "defensive aid", equipment and fuel. In the weeks leading up to the crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron held a series of back-and-forth talks with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions.
Man Charged with Transnational Repression Campaign While Acting as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government in the United States US Dept. of Justice 30 Mar 2022 -- A Chinese national is charged in a criminal complaint, which was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York, with conspiring to act in the United States as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Trump Asks Putin for Dirt on Biden Family, in Echo of 2016 VOA 30 Mar 2022 -- In an interview Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump specifically asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release information that Trump believes would implicate the family of U.S. President Joe Biden in financial wrongdoing.
Slovakia Orders Cutting Russia's Embassy Staff by 35 Personnel Sputnik 30 Mar 2022 -- On Monday, Moscow gave three Slovak diplomats 72 hours to leave Russia in retaliation for the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Bratislava earlier in March.
Slovakia Tells Russia To Cut 35 Staff From Bratislava Embassy RFE/RL 30 Mar 2022 -- Slovakia has told Russia it must cut 35 staff members at its embassy in Bratislava because of the actions of another Russian diplomat.
Ireland expels four senior Russian Embassy officials People's Daily 30 Mar 2022 -- Four senior officials at the Russian Embassy in Ireland have been asked to leave the country, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said here on Tuesday.
Russia expels 10 diplomats of Baltic states in retaliation People's Daily 30 Mar 2022 -- Russia said Tuesday that it is expelling a combined number of 10 diplomats of the three Baltic states in tit-for-tat retaliation.
Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the Netherlands Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Mar 2022
Moscow Vows Response as Belgium, The Netherlands, Ireland & Czech Republic Expel Russian Diplomats Sputnik 29 Mar 2022 -- Previously, several European countries declared several Russian diplomats persona non grata, which prompted a harsh response from Moscow.
Russia Expels Diplomats From Baltic Countries, Foreign Ministry Says Sputnik 29 Mar 2022 -- Russia is expelling 10 diplomats of the three Baltic states from the country, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia To Expel 10 Baltic Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 29 Mar 2022 -- Russia has expelled 10 diplomats from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in response to a similar move by the Baltic countries against Moscow earlier this month.
Several European Countries Expel Russian Diplomats VOA 29 Mar 2022 -- After the Netherlands announced Tuesday it was expelling 17 Russian diplomats, several more European countries are doing the same.
Support of Partners Expelling Russian Intelligence Officials US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2022 -- The United States applauds recent expulsions of Russian intelligence officers by our partners in Europe and around the world. As our partners have outlined, these actions are in response to these individuals' activities, which are in contravention of their diplomatic status, and the Russian Federation's aggression in Ukraine.
Four European Countries Expel Dozens Of Russian Diplomats For Alleged Spying RFE/RL 29 Mar 2022 -- Four European countries -- the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, and the Czech Republic - announced major expulsions of Russian diplomats on March 29 for alleged espionage as Moscow's war against Ukraine continues to rage.
Belgium expels 21 Russian diplomats People's Daily 30 Mar 2022 -- Belgium will expel 21 Russian diplomats suspected of espionage and involvement in influence operations threatening Belgian security, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmes announced on Tuesday.
Investigative Report Suggests FSB Agents Followed Nemtsov Before His Murder RFE/RL 28 Mar 2022 -- A new investigative report alleges opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was followed by agents linked to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for almost a year before he was assassinated on a bridge leading to the Kremlin in 2015.
DNI Releases FY 2023 Budget Request Figure for the National Intelligence Program Director of National Intelligence 28 Mar 2022 -- The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is disclosing the aggregate amount of $67.1 billion in requested appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2023 National Intelligence Program (NIP).
Department of Defense Releases 2023 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request DoD 28 Mar 2022 -- On March 28, 2022 the Department of Defense released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2023. The total is $26.6 billion and is aligned to strategic priorities of the Secretary of Defense.
North Macedonia Expels Five Russian Diplomats For 'Inappropriate' Activities RFE/RL 28 Mar 2022 -- North Macedonia has expelled five Russian diplomats for what Skopje described as "inappropriate" diplomatic activities.
New signals intelligence agency opened Australia DOD 28 Mar 2022 -- Defence Minister Peter Dutton marked the 75th anniversary of the Australian Signals Directorate by opening a new facility for the signals intelligence agency in Canberra last week.
U.S. Accuses Three FSB Officers, Russian Ministry Programmer Of Hacking Nuclear, Energy Firms RFE/RL 25 Mar 2022 -- U.S. authorities have accused three Russian intelligence officers of hacking U.S. nuclear companies and others for nearly six years, charging them and another man employed by the Russian Defense Ministry of computer conspiracy and other crimes.
Four Russian Government Employees Charged in Two Historical Hacking Campaigns Targeting Critical Infrastructure Worldwide US Dept. of Justice 24 Mar 2022 -- The Department of Justice unsealed two indictments today charging four defendants, all Russian nationals who worked for the Russian government, with attempting, supporting and conducting computer intrusions that together, in two separate conspiracies, targeted the global energy sector between 2012 and 2018. In total, these hacking campaigns targeted thousands of computers, at hundreds of companies and organizations, in approximately 135 countries.
CISA, FBI and DOE Publish Advisory With Historical Cyber Activity Used by Indicted Russian State-Sponsored Actors CISA 24 Mar 2022 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Energy (DOE) published a joint Cybersecurity Advisory today with information on multiple intrusion campaigns targeting U.S. and international energy sector organizations conducted by indicted Russian state-sponsored cyber actors from 2011 to 2018.
Rewards for Justice - Reward Offer for Information on Russian FSB Officers Conducting Malicious Activity Against U.S. Critical Infrastructure Between 2012-2017 US Dept. of State 24 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is now offering a reward for information on Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gavrilov, and Marat Valeryevich Tyukov for their alleged involvement in computer intrusions, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and damage to the property of an energy facility offenses.
Rewards for Justice - Reward Offer for Information on Russian Government Cyber Actor for Conducting Malicious Activity Against U.S. Critical Infrastructure in 2017 and 2018 US Dept. of State 24 Mar 2022 -- The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is offering a reward for information on Russia-based hacker Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh.
UK exposes Russian spy agency behind cyber incidents UK FCDO 24 Mar 2022 -- The UK, together with the US and other allies, has exposed historic malign cyber activity of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
Pennsylvania Guard first Guard to field new SIGINT system Army News 23 Mar 2022 -- The Pennsylvania National Guard is the first National Guard in the country to field the new Tactical Dismounted Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence (TDEWS) system.
Chinese Government Employee Convicted of Participating in Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Fraudulently Obtain U.S. Visas US Dept. of Justice 23 Mar 2022 -- A federal jury convicted a New Jersey man for his involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain U.S. visas for Chinese government employees.
Russia To Expel U.S. Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Retaliation For Earlier Move By Washington RFE/RL 23 Mar 2022 -- The Kremlin says it is expelling a number of U.S. diplomats in reaction to Washington's move earlier this month to expel 12 Russian representatives to the United Nations based in the United States.
Poland Orders Expulsion Of 45 Russian Embassy, Trade Mission Staff As Threat To Country, NATO RFE/RL 23 Mar 2022 -- Poland has ordered the expulsion of 45 Russian Embassy and trade mission staff members, accusing them of working for Moscow's secret services and describing them as a danger to the country's and NATO's security.
Moscow Vows Response to Poland's Decision to Expel 45 Russian Diplomats Sputnik 23 Mar 2022 -- Earlier, the Polish Onet news portal reported, citing government sources, that Poland was expelling about 40 Russian diplomats, accusing them of espionage.
Poland Says 45 Russian Diplomats Are Suspected Spies VOA 23 Mar 2022 -- Poland's interior ministry says 45 Russian diplomats have been identified as working in Poland as spies and they have been expelled.
Belarus KGB Says Eight Out of 19 Diplomats at Ukraine Embassy Are Spies - Report Sputnik 22 Mar 2022 -- The Belarussian State Security Committee (KGB) has eliminated a Ukrainian spy network that worked under diplomatic cover, the state-run Belta news agency reported on Tuesday.
Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Bulgaria's unfriendly actions Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Mar 2022
Russia to Retaliate Against Expulsion of 10 Diplomats From Sofia, Ambassador Says Sputnik 21 Mar 2022 -- Russia will retaliate against the expulsion of ten diplomats from the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova said on Monday.
Bulgaria Expels 10 Russian Diplomats, Baltics Follow Suit With Another 10 Expulsions RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Bulgaria is expelling 10 Russian diplomats saying they were carrying out activities deemed incompatible with their diplomatic status, a move followed up quickly by the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Ten Russian Diplomats Declared Personae Non Gratae in Bulgaria Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- Earlier in the week, Slovakia decided to expel three Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage.
US Sees No Letup in Russian Influence Operations VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- According to U.S. and Ukrainian officials, Moscow's efforts to win over the world with its accounts of events in Ukraine are doing no better than Russia's military forces inside Ukraine.
Chinese FM refutes US accusations about spying Global Times 17 Mar 2022 -- China has never asked its citizens abroad to engage in illegal activities, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday when asked for comments about the US Department of Justice's charges against five individuals for stalking and spying on US residents on behalf of the Chinese government.
Five Individuals Charged Variously with Stalking, Harassing and Spying on U.S. Residents on Behalf of the PRC Secret Police US Dept. of Justice 16 Mar 2022 -- Two complaints were unsealed, and one amended complaint was authorized today in federal court charging five defendants with various crimes related to efforts by the secret police of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to stalk, harass and spy on Chinese nationals residing in Queens, New York, and elsewhere in the United States.
Justice Department indicts 5 people for allegedly spying for China Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2022 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday accused five people, including two Chinese citizens, of attempting to suppress criticism of the Chinese government, including by trying to thwart the campaign of a candidate for Congress.
US Charges 5 Chinese Nationals With Harassing Chinese in US Critical of Beijing VOA 16 Mar 2022 -- U.S. authorities announced charges Wednesday against five people who were allegedly working for the Chinese secret police to spy on and harass Chinese nationals living in the U.S. who had been critical of Beijing.
Naval Flight Officer Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Conspiring to Violate Firearms Law and Lying During Security Clearance Background Investigation US Dept. of Justice 16 Mar 2022 -- A Florida man was sentenced today to four years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to violate U.S. firearms laws, making false written statements to federally licensed firearms dealers during the purchase of two firearms, and making false written statements as part of a security clearance background investigation.
Russia's Disinformation Playbook Ripped Apart VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- For the past few years, Russia's disinformation apparatus has seemed unstoppable.
In major blow, Assange denied permission to appeal against US extradition Press TV 15 Mar 2022 -- The UK's highest court has refused to give permission to Wikileaks' founder, Julian Assange, to appeal against a decision to extradite him to the United States.
Slovakia Expels Three Members Of Russian Embassy Staff RFE/RL 14 Mar 2022 -- Slovakia has announced the expulsion of three Russian Embassy staff based on information from the country's intelligence service and gave them 72 hours to leave.
Moscow Will Respond to Bratislava's Decision to Expel Russian Diplomats Sputnik 14 Mar 2022 -- Earlier, there were reports that Slovakia intends to expel three Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage.
Exclusive: China captures powerful US NSA cyberspy tool Global Times 14 Mar 2022 -- China captured a spy tool deployed by the US National Security Agency, which is capable of lurking in a victim's computer to access sensitive information and was found to have controlled global internet equipment and stole large amounts of users' information, according to a report the Global Times obtained from the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center exclusively on Monday.
China Reportedly Detects Cyberattack Tool Used by US Intelligence Sputnik 14 Mar 2022 -- China has discovered a cyberespionage tool used by the US National Security Agency (NSA) that can lurk in a computer and enable remote access to sensitive data stored on the device, Chinese newspaper Global Times reported on Monday, citing a report by China's state-run National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre.
US Must Immediately Stop Cyberattacks Against China - Chinese Foreign Ministry Sputnik 14 Mar 2022 -- The United States must take a more responsible position on cyberspace and immediately stop cyberattacks against China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday.
IARPA Launches New Biometric Technology Research Program Director of National Intelligence 11 Mar 2022 -- The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, announced today the Biometric Recognition & Identification at Altitude and Range (BRIAR) program — a multi-year research effort to develop new software systems capable of performing whole-body biometric identification from great heights and long ranges.
Russian Officials Predicted A Quick Triumph In Ukraine. Did Bad Intelligence Skew Kremlin Decision-Making? RFE/RL 11 Mar 2022 -- The day after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Russian lawmaker who also happens to be the grandson of one of the most famous diplomats of the 20th century gave a speech in parliament.
Fusion of information dishes up threat intelligence CENTCOM 11 Mar 2022 -- Anybody who has remodeled their kitchen knows about the "golden triangle" or "kitchen triangle". It's the triangle that the main work areas form to provide the most efficient work zone possible. In a relatively seamless culinary dance, the sink, refrigerator and stove are at each point of the geometric shape that will make that dinner for friends and family an efficient cooking experience.
Lebanese security forces bust new network 'spying for Israel', report says Press TV 10 Mar 2022 -- Lebanese security forces have reportedly dismantled a network spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and collaborating with Israeli authorities, in a fresh clampdown on suspected espionage rings in the country.
Spanish Journalist Denies Spying for Russia VOA 09 Mar 2022 -- Pablo González is a Spanish journalist also known by his Russian name, Pavel Rubtsov.
Russian-American Woman Who Fled To Moscow Charged With Being Unregistered Foreign Agent RFE/RL 09 Mar 2022 -- A Russian-American woman who has headed a cultural organization for diaspora Russian groups in the United States has been charged with being an unregistered foreign agent for promoting the Kremlin's interests.
Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the indictment against Elena Branson, Chairperson of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots in the United States Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Mar 2022
North Korea could return to ICBM, nuclear tests this year, says US intel report Press TV 08 Mar 2022 -- A top US intelligence organization has accused North Korea of preparing the ground for a return to intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBMs) and nuclear bomb tests this year for the first time since 2017.
ODNI Releases 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Director of National Intelligence 08 Mar 2022 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
U.S. Intel Officials Detail Threats From China, Russia DoD News 08 Mar 2022 -- Avril Haines, the director of National Intelligence, discussed the intelligence community's assessment of China and Russia — America's strategic competitors — during testimony before Congress this morning.
US Intelligence Warns of 'Ugly Next Few Weeks' for Ukraine VOA 08 Mar 2022 -- Russia's military failures in Ukraine, combined with crippling economic sanctions, are likely to spur Russian President Vladimir Putin to apply heavier and more indiscriminate force in his war against Kyiv, according to the latest public assessment by U.S. intelligence officials.
US intelligence officials: Russia likely to escalate military actions in Ukraine Press TV 08 Mar 2022 -- US intelligence officials have told Congress that Russia is likely to escalate its military actions in Ukraine, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be deterred by US-led punitive measures.
Dual U.S.-Russian National Charged with Acting Illegally as a Russian Agent in United States US Dept. of Justice 08 Mar 2022 -- A federal court in New York unsealed a complaint today charging a dual Russian and U.S. citizen with acting and conspiring to act in the United States illegally as an agent of the Russian government, willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as well as conspiring to commit visa fraud and making false statements to the FBI.
Dual US-Russian National Elena Branson Charged With Illegally Acting as 'Russian Agent' Sputnik 08 Mar 2022 -- A New York federal court unsealed charges against a dual US-Russian national for allegedly acting as an illegal foreign agent of Russia without registering with the US government, the Justice Department said.
Russia's Vaunted Influence Operations Bogged Down with Ukraine VOA 07 Mar 2022 -- Russia's efforts to sway the opinions of people across the world about the righteousness of its invasion of Ukraine appears to be mirroring the effort of some of its forces on the ground - despite bringing lots of firepower, the Kremlin's influence operations seem to be stalling, unable to penetrate key audiences.
Retired military officer gets 4-year jail term in national security case CNA 04 Mar 2022 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the four-year sentence handed down to a retired military officer who was convicted of breaking Taiwan's national security law by attempting to develop a spy network for China.
Poland Arrests Spanish Journalist On Charges Of Spying For Russia RFE/RL 04 Mar 2022 -- Poland says it has detained a Spanish journalist it accuses of spying for Russia.
Bulgaria Expels Two Russian Diplomats It Accuses Of Spying RFE/RL 02 Mar 2022 -- Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says that it is expelling two Russian diplomats for allegedly spying, and has given them 48 hours to leave the country.

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