Bulgarian Interior Minister Claims Russian Spies Support European Illegal Migration Networks

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Daniel Mitov has accused Russian intelligence services of directly supporting smuggling networks that facilitate illegal migration into Europe, using migration as a political tool to destabilize the European Union and the United Kingdom. Mitov claims evidence links Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service to criminal organizations exploiting vulnerabilities along EU borders, with some far-left humanitarian groups allegedly cooperating with traffickers. These allegations coincide with increased efforts by European ministers, including UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, to curb illegal migration through agreements such as the "one-in, one-out" treaty between the UK and France, which has led to deportations back to France. Despite these measures, Channel crossings remain high, with 36,734 migrants making the journey so far this year, close to the 2024 total. The issue underscores broader security concerns as hostile regimes allegedly use migration flows to strain welfare systems and introduce radicalized individuals into European societies. European ministers are convening to discuss strategies to address these challenges and enhance policing efforts against smuggling gangs in the Western Balkans.