March 2023 Intelligence News

Russian National "Illegal" Charged with Acting as Agent of a Russian Intelligence Service in the United States DoJ -US Attorney - DC 31 Mar 2023 -- Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov ("Cherkasov"), 37, a national of the Russian Federation who operated as an "Illegal" agent for a Russian Intelligence Service ("RIS") under the Brazilian alias of Victor Muller Ferreira, was charged today for acting as an agent of a foreign power, visa fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and other charges stemming from his illegal activities in the United States. Cherkasov started acting as an Illegal agent in 2012 in Brazil using the Ferreira name, and he moved to the United States in 2018 after obtaining admission to a graduate school program at a University 1, a university located in the District of Columbia.
North Korean hacker group poses as journalists and experts to steal intel Radio Free Asia 31 Mar 2023 -- A criminal cyber spy group believed to be backed by the North Korean government poses as journalists, academics and experts to trick its victims into giving out information that can be used for espionage.
HADES modernizes aerial military intelligence Army News 30 Mar 2023 -- During the Civil War, the Army used aerial technology, such as balloons, kites and pigeons, to gather intelligence and to survey the battlefield giving ground commanders the ability to make informed decisions on how to maneuver into advantageous positions.
Russia Using TikTok to Push Pro-Moscow Narrative on Ukraine VOA 30 Mar 2023 -- New data is suggesting at least some U.S. adversaries are taking advantage of the hugely popular TikTok video-sharing app for influence operations.
Suspected North Korean Spies Impersonating VOA, Other Reporters Online VOA 30 Mar 2023 -- Experts on nuclear security policy and weapons proliferation were contacted by suspected North Korean hackers posing as Voice of America journalists, according to a threat intelligence group, which says this is part of a recent pattern of impersonating reporters from major news organizations.
Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware The White House 30 Mar 2023
All foreigners in China must abide by Chinese laws, says Chinese ambassador over detention of Japanese national on suspicion of espionage Global Times 30 Mar 2023 -- Chinese Ambassador in Japan Wu Jianghao said on Wednesday that China is a country under the rule of law, and all foreign nationals in China must abide by Chinese laws, noting Japan should strengthen education and inform its citizens, in response to the recent detention of a Japanese national on suspicion of spying.
Tensions With China Emerge Over Undersea Cables Carrying Internet Traffic VOA 29 Mar 2023 -- Undersea cables that carry the bulk of intercontinental internet traffic are increasingly the focal point of geopolitical tensions involving China, according to experts.
US Will Continue to Fly Intelligence Drones in Black Sea Despite Recent Crash: Defense Secretary Sputnik 28 Mar 2023 -- The United States continues to fly drones in areas of the Black Sea it considers necessary for intelligence collection, despite the recent crash of a drone near Russia, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.
China Accused of Meddling in Canada's Elections VOA 28 Mar 2023 -- Allegations are mounting that China may have interfered in Canada's most recent federal elections to favor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party. One Conservative candidate near Vancouver says a deliberate misinformation campaign led to his defeat in 2021.
Executive Order on Prohibition on Use by the United States Government of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security The White House 27 Mar 2023
FACT SHEET: President Biden Signs Executive Order to Prohibit U.S. Government Use of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security The White House 27 Mar 2023
Chinese FM confirms detention of Japanese national on suspicion of spying Global Times 27 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that a Japanese national was under criminal detention under suspicion of engaging in espionage, saying that Chinese officials had notified the Japanese Embassy in accordance with Vienna Convention and China-Japan consular relations.
China Says US Showed No Proof of TikTok Being National Security Threat Sputnik 24 Mar 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry argued on Friday that the United States was still to prove that the popular TikTok video-sharing app was a threat to its national security.
Asia Fact Check Lab: Can TikTok share US user data with China's government? Radio Free Asia 24 Mar 2023 -- a Chinese company subjecting to Chinese laws - would create opportunities for the Chinese government to collect data about American users.
New Charges of Chinese Interference Embroil Canadian MP VOA 24 Mar 2023 -- Canada is being rattled by a political scandal straight from a Hollywood film, in which a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's ruling party is accused of collaborating with China.
Iran Sentences Five To Death For Alleged Spy Operations With Israel RFE/RL 23 Mar 2023 -- Five Iranians - four men and one woman - in the northwestern Iranian city of Urmia have been sentenced by a court to death for allegedly engaging in intelligence cooperation and espionage activities that benefited Israel.
China, Russia Target Audiences Online With Deep Fakes, Replica Front Pages VOA 23 Mar 2023 -- Looking directly into the camera, the news anchor speaks of the importance of U.S-Chinese cooperation in supporting the global economy.
TikTok CEO denies links to Chinese Communist Party Radio Free Asia 23 Mar 2023 -- TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Thursday denied the popular social media app has links to the Chinese Communist Party, dismissing even the notion that its Beijing-based parent ByteDance is a Chinese company and arguing that it has no oversight over the app.
New act will stop investments in companies by foreign actors that could harm Sweden Government Offices of Sweden 22 Mar 2023 -- Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden's business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.
Bulgarian Blasts, Russian Agents, And The War On Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Mar 2023 -- Shortly after sunset on March 21, 2015, the skies above Bulgaria's biggest, and last remaining state-owned, armaments factory filled with the crackle and fury normally associated with a battlefield.
China says US 'suppressing' TikTok as UK also bans it Press TV 16 Mar 2023 -- China has urged the United States to stop "unreasonably suppressing" TikTok, after Washington and its allies took a hard approach to the app, which is owned by the Chinese firm Bytedance.
China hits back after US calls for TikTok sell-off Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused the Biden administration of targeting foreign-owned companies with unfair standards after it called for the Chinese owners of the popular social media platform TikTok to sell their stake or face a ban on the app.
White House Voices Support for Bipartisan Push to Ban TikTok VOA 16 Mar 2023 -- Time may be running out in the U.S. for Chinese-owned entertainment platform TikTok, with the White House on Thursday supporting proposed legislation that would effectively ban the app over concerns about the safety of the data of the 100 million Americans who use the trendy video platform.
China yet to close two overseas police stations in Germany after official request Radio Free Asia 16 Mar 2023 -- China has yet to shut down its much-criticized overseas police stations in Germany, despite Berlin's insistence they are a violation of German sovereignty, according to a German newspaper and publicly available parliamentary records.
Burkina Faso Arrests Frenchman Suspected of Espionage, ICG says Sputnik 16 Mar 2023 -- Soon after the arrest, the French consultant for the International Crisis Group (ICG) operating in Burkina Faso was released and able to leave the country. The arrest took place nearly three months after Burkinabe authorities expelled two French citizens suspected of spying for Paris.
Prime Minister announces Independent Special Rapporteur to help protect the integrity of Canada's democracy Prime Minister of Canada 15 Mar 2023 -- The Government of Canada takes any attempts at undermining our democracy very seriously and will continue to take action to protect our institutions and uphold Canadians' confidence in our democracy.
Ministry of the Interior proposes use of State's pre-emption right in real estate transaction in Imatra Finnish Government 15 Mar 2023 -- The Ministry of the Interior proposes that the Ministry of Finance exercise the State's pre-emption right in a real estate transaction carried out in Imatra at the start of the year.
DNI Releases FY 2024 Budget Request Figure for the National Intelligence Program Director of National Intelligence 14 Mar 2023 -- The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is disclosing the aggregate amount of $72.4 billion in requested appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2024 National Intelligence Program (NIP).
Russian Woman Arrested For Spying In Albania Requests Asylum, Citing Fear Of Persecution In Russia RFE/RL 14 Mar 2023 -- Svetlana Timofoeva, a Russian national who was arrested and charged with spying in Albania, requested asylum in the Western Balkan nation on March 13, saying she fears persecution should she return to Russia.
Too many nations failing to investigate torture cases, UN expert says UN News 14 Mar 2023 -- States must be "primary responders" in torture cases, to end impunity and bring justice on behalf of victims, a UN independent expert told the Human Rights Council on Tuesday.
Counter-terrorism 'rhetoric' used to justify rise of surveillance technology: human rights expert UN News 14 Mar 2023 -- Some countries and private companies are using "counter-terrorism and security rhetoric" to justify a major increase in the deployment and use of cutting-edge surveillance technology, with no regulation, and at an "enormous cost" to human rights, said an independent UN expert on Tuesday.
Counter-terrorism and Security Are Frequently Used To Cover for the Adoption of High-risk and Highly Intrusive Technologies, Special Rapporteur Tells the Human Rights Council OHCHR 14 Mar 2023 -- The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. It also concluded its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.
US Intelligence Officials See China Preparing for Fight 'They Don't Want' VOA 14 Mar 2023 -- China's growing pessimism over relations with the United States has Beijing preparing for a war it would rather not fight, according to an assessment by a top U.S. defense intelligence official.
Department of Defense Releases 2024 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request DoD 13 Mar 2023 -- On March 13, 2023 the Department of Defense released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2024. The total is $29.3 billion and is aligned to strategic priorities of the Secretary of Defense.
Exclusive: Expelled Russian Diplomats With Spy Links Resurface In Serbia RFE/RL 13 Mar 2023 -- In the months following Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last year, hundreds of Russian diplomats were expelled or blacklisted by European Union member states, several of which cited alleged espionage by the banished emissaries.
UK to Continue Developing Capabilities of Intelligence Agencies, Deploy More Personnel Abroad Sputnik 13 Mar 2023 -- The United Kingdom will continue to develop the capabilities of its intelligence agencies and deploy more personnel abroad to strengthen cooperation with partners, according to the country's updated defense strategy document Integrated Review Refresh 2023.
USAGM CEO Describes Efforts to Counter Russian and Chinese Propaganda VOA 09 Mar 2023 -- The United States Agency for Global Media's Chief Executive Officer Amanda Bennett said Thursday the agency she leads is facing a critical time globally in which access to credible news is threatened by authoritarian regimes.
CIA issued advance Nord Stream blast warning to US allies: Report Press TV 09 Mar 2023 -- A US media report has revealed that America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warned allies in the EU about a potential attack by a pro-Ukrainian group on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Russia has rejected such reports, saying it is an attempt to divert attention from the real perpetrators and absolve the United States.
US Lawmakers Warn 'Clean Reauthorization' of Surveillance Authorities a 'Nonstarter' VOA 09 Mar 2023 -- Key U.S. lawmakers are warning the country's top intelligence officials that they could soon find themselves without a much-talked-about surveillance authority unless their agencies are able to prove they can be trusted.
FBI Director: Warrantless Searches of Americans' Data Down 93% in 2022 VOA 09 Mar 2023 -- Touting reforms designed to protect Americans' privacy, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday that the number of times the FBI searched U.S. citizens' information in a database of warrantless surveillance dropped by more than 93% in 2022.
Cyber Command, NSA Successes Point Way to Future DoD News 08 Mar 2023 -- U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are on a wartime footing all the time, as the agency works to defend the homeland from cyber attacks, said Army Gen. Paul Nakasone to the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday.
US intel chief: Agencies 'divided' over COVID origins Radio Free Asia 08 Mar 2023 -- The U.S. intelligence community is "divided" over whether COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan or from natural exposure to an infected animal, and is only sure it wasn't a deliberate bioweapon, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate on Wednesday.
Russian Military Unlikely to Make 'Major Gains in Ukraine,' Say Top US Intel Officials VOA 08 Mar 2023 -- More than a year after he sent troops into Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is beginning to accept his military's shortcomings and adapt his strategies in hopes of eventually toppling Kyiv, according to top U.S. intelligence officials.
ODNI Releases 2023 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Director of National Intelligence 08 Mar 2023 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
US intelligence suggests 'pro-Ukraine group' bombed Nord Stream: Report Press TV 07 Mar 2023 -- A US media report claims new intelligence reviewed by American officials suggests that a "pro-Ukrainian group" bombed the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year.
Key US Intelligence Official Casts Shade on TikTok, Chinese Tech VOA 07 Mar 2023 -- Add a top U.S. intelligence official to the list of Americans expressing concern about Chinese-made technology and Chinese social media platforms like TikTok.
White House backs TikTok ban bill Radio Free Asia 07 Mar 2023 -- The White House has announced its support for a new bipartisan bill to allow the U.S. secretary of commerce to ban foreign-owned technology like TikTok. The announcement came Tuesday as the bill was being introduced by a group of eight senators from both parties.
Nikkei voices 'regret' on Taiwan veterans spy story CNA 07 Mar 2023 -- A Japanese newspaper on Tuesday voiced "regret" over any confusion caused by a controversial story it published on Feb. 28 in which it suggested that many discharged military personnel in Taiwan later serve as spies for China.
Disinformation Wars: China, Russia Cooperating On Propaganda More Than Ever, Says Report RFE/RL 06 Mar 2023 -- After a year of war in Ukraine, China and Russia have grown closer together in the information space, often parroting each other's talking points across state-owned media as part of a wider strategy to undermine the West, a new report finds.
Canadian Police Investigating Media Reports on Alleged Chinese Election Meddling Sputnik 06 Mar 2023 -- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on Monday said it began an investigation into violations of the Security of Information Act (SOIA) regarding recent media reports on the alleged Chinese interference in the country's elections.
Man charged with anti-infiltration offenses for accepting Chinese donations CNA 04 Mar 2023 -- A man who ran unsuccessfully for ward chief in New Taipei last year was indicted on Saturday for contravening the Anti-Infiltration Act and other laws for accepting COVID-19 antigen rapid testing kits from a Chinese government agency in Fujian Province which he distributed among constituents.
Australian Space Industry Warns of Chinese Satellite Surveillance VOA 04 Mar 2023 -- Australia's space industry is warning that China is increasing its satellite surveillance. The warning comes as Australia's Defense Space Command says it is working on a plan to acquire so-called soft-kill technology to take out enemy satellites.
Allegations Prompt Calls for Inquiry on Chinese Influence on Canadian Elections VOA 03 Mar 2023 -- More information is coming out regarding China's attempts to influence the past two Canadian elections. Pressure is building for the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to launch an independent investigation.
Working group concludes it is possible to tighten monitoring of foreign real estate ownership Finnish MoD 01 Mar 2023 -- The working group set up to examine further restrictions on foreign real estate acquisitions submitted its report to the Ministry of Defence on 1 March 2023.
DNI Statement on the Intelligence Community Assessment on AHIs Director of National Intelligence 01 Mar 2023 -- ""Today we are sharing key judgments and investigative efforts from our Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs). This assessment builds on the Intelligence Community's (IC) interim findings released last year, which described the IC's judgment that U.S. adversaries, including Russia, were not engaged in a global campaign resulting in AHIs, but indicated that we continued to investigate whether a foreign actor was involved in a subset of cases."
US Finds No Evidence to Link Adversaries to 'Havana Syndrome' VOA 01 Mar 2023 -- In a sharp reversal, U.S. intelligence agencies now say none of the hundreds of mysterious illnesses that afflicted and in some cases incapacitated U.S. personnel around the globe can be linked to the use of a weapon by a U.S. adversary.
Reports: Canada Found, Retrieved Chinese Spy Buoys in Arctic VOA 01 Mar 2023 -- Months before a Chinese spy balloon drifted across Alaska and Canada, the Canadian military discovered and retrieved Chinese spy buoys in the Arctic, a region of long interest to Beijing.
Protesters rally outside Chinese 'police service station' amid spy accusations Radio Free Asia 01 Mar 2023 -- Protesters gathered outside a Chinese "police service station" in New York - believed to serve as a base to spy on dissidents - and two Chinese consulates in California over the weekend amid growing calls in the United States, Canada and around the world for curbs on Beijing's overseas influence activities.

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