Russian spies reportedly growing bolder about stealing Western technology
Russian spies reportedly growing bolder about stealing Western technology
Publish Date: 2026-05-30 03:23:00
Source Domain: www.turkiyetoday.com
Russia’s intelligence agencies have grown more aggressive in stealing Western technology and defense secrets as sanctions squeeze the country’s wartime economy, three senior European intelligence officials told The Associated Press (AP).
Polish authorities separately announced the detention of an employee at the country’s largest state-owned defense company on suspicion of spying for a foreign intelligence service.
Coordinated hunt spanning entire Russian intelligence
Sanctions have not dulled Russia’s technology ambitions; they have sharpened them, according to Christoffer Wedelin, deputy head of operations at Sweden’s Security Service, who spoke to the AP.
“Moscow has built an extensive covert procurement network across Europe, using shell companies and recruited intermediaries to route restricted goods back to Russia. The campaign is not the work of one agency,” he said, adding, “All of the security and intelligence services in Russia are helping out on the state’s efforts to get this.”
The targets are specific and strategic.
In Sweden, Russian operatives have sought secrets related to the domestically developed Gripen fighter jet and commercially produced optical and laser equipment that could be repurposed for military applications. “They really know what they need,” Wedelin said, placing “serious effort” behind advanced manufacturing machinery, research, and dual-use technology.
Finnish intelligence director Juha Martelius said Russia’s shopping list extended far beyond near-term military needs.
“We’re talking about space technology, quantum … arctic technology, marine technology,” he said, adding Russia needs space capabilities “right now,” technology nations use for satellite imaging, communications and navigation. Restricted computer components and software for industrial machine tools were also on the list, he added.
In May, Swedish police arrested two individuals for sanctions violations connected to a firm that had shipped dozens…
