UK Sentences Six Bulgarians to 50 Years for Russia Spy Ring

Six Bulgarian nationals living in the UK were convicted and sentenced to a combined 50 years in prison for operating an extensive Russian espionage ring across Europe. Led by Orlin Roussev, the spy ring engaged in sophisticated intelligence-gathering activities, including surveillance of Ukrainian troops, investigative journalist Christo Grozev, and other Kremlin critics, utilizing fake identities, covert recording devices, and advanced technology. The network's operations spanned multiple countries including the UK, Austria, Spain, Germany, and Montenegro, and involved tactics such as honeytraps, fake protests, and discussions of potential kidnappings. The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command described the cell as an extremely sophisticated and significant threat to UK national security and targeted individuals. The case highlights a growing trend of states outsourcing espionage activities using proxies, with members motivated largely by financial gain. The sentences reflect the serious nature of the threats posed by this espionage on an industrial scale, and authorities emphasized their commitment to disrupting such activities.