Mar 9, 2025 02:49 AM
(This post was last modified: Mar 9, 2025 02:50 AM by C C.)
UK troops may need to protect peace in Ukraine for 'many years'
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn893xddz1yo
INTRO: A former national security adviser has warned the potential deployment of UK troops to protect peace in Ukraine could last for "many years". Lord Sedwill told the BBC's The Week in Westminster that the UK would need to be "willing to display strategic patience to give the Ukrainians the [security] assurances they need" in the event of a peace deal.
Both the UK and France have said they would be willing to send troops to work to uphold any ceasefire in Russia's war with Ukraine. They would form part of a "coalition of the willing" to help Kyiv which the UK said could involve around 20 other countries. Not all would necessarily send troops but could provide other support.
The plan, spearheaded by the UK and France, was set out at a summit hosted by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last weekend. No information was provided on which countries had shown an interest in offering support or what that support could specifically involve, but the group is believed to consist of European and Commonwealth countries... (MORE - details)
3 Bulgarians found guilty in major Russian espionage case in UK
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/3-bulgar...uk/3503556
RELEASE: Three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted by a London jury for espionage on behalf of Russia, marking one of the UK's largest foreign intelligence operations in recent years, according to media reports Friday.
Katrin Ivanova, 43, Vanya Gaberova, 30 and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, were found guilty of conspiracy to spy at London's Old Bailey, The Guardian newspaper reported.
The trio, who lived in London, were part of a spy ring that operated across Europe from 2020 to 2023, targeting Ukrainian soldiers, journalists and dissidents. They carried out surveillance on Kremlin opponents, including Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev, and planned attacks on individuals such as former Russian politician Bergey Ryskaliyev.
"This was spying on an almost industrial scale on behalf of Russia, the Russian state and Russian intelligence services," said Commander Dominic Murphy of London's Counter Terrorism Command, BBC noted.
The operation, led by Orlin Roussev, 47, who ran the spy ring from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, involved sophisticated methods, including hidden cameras in everyday objects like ties and Minions toys. Roussev received more than €200,000 ($217,000) to fund the spying activities.
The spy ring, which included six Bulgarians, was directed by Jan Marsalek, an alleged Russian agent wanted by Interpol. Marsalek’s role as a liaison between Russian intelligence and the spy ring led to surveillance operations in the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro.
The trio faces up to 14 years in prison, with sentencing set for May. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC described the operation as "extremely sophisticated," while Murphy warned it posed a serious national security threat.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn893xddz1yo
INTRO: A former national security adviser has warned the potential deployment of UK troops to protect peace in Ukraine could last for "many years". Lord Sedwill told the BBC's The Week in Westminster that the UK would need to be "willing to display strategic patience to give the Ukrainians the [security] assurances they need" in the event of a peace deal.
Both the UK and France have said they would be willing to send troops to work to uphold any ceasefire in Russia's war with Ukraine. They would form part of a "coalition of the willing" to help Kyiv which the UK said could involve around 20 other countries. Not all would necessarily send troops but could provide other support.
The plan, spearheaded by the UK and France, was set out at a summit hosted by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last weekend. No information was provided on which countries had shown an interest in offering support or what that support could specifically involve, but the group is believed to consist of European and Commonwealth countries... (MORE - details)
3 Bulgarians found guilty in major Russian espionage case in UK
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/3-bulgar...uk/3503556
RELEASE: Three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted by a London jury for espionage on behalf of Russia, marking one of the UK's largest foreign intelligence operations in recent years, according to media reports Friday.
Katrin Ivanova, 43, Vanya Gaberova, 30 and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, were found guilty of conspiracy to spy at London's Old Bailey, The Guardian newspaper reported.
The trio, who lived in London, were part of a spy ring that operated across Europe from 2020 to 2023, targeting Ukrainian soldiers, journalists and dissidents. They carried out surveillance on Kremlin opponents, including Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev, and planned attacks on individuals such as former Russian politician Bergey Ryskaliyev.
"This was spying on an almost industrial scale on behalf of Russia, the Russian state and Russian intelligence services," said Commander Dominic Murphy of London's Counter Terrorism Command, BBC noted.
The operation, led by Orlin Roussev, 47, who ran the spy ring from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, involved sophisticated methods, including hidden cameras in everyday objects like ties and Minions toys. Roussev received more than €200,000 ($217,000) to fund the spying activities.
The spy ring, which included six Bulgarians, was directed by Jan Marsalek, an alleged Russian agent wanted by Interpol. Marsalek’s role as a liaison between Russian intelligence and the spy ring led to surveillance operations in the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro.
The trio faces up to 14 years in prison, with sentencing set for May. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC described the operation as "extremely sophisticated," while Murphy warned it posed a serious national security threat.
