Bulgarian Minister Claims Russian Spy, Left-Wing Group Link to Europe, UK Migrant Surge

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Daniel Mitov has accused Russian intelligence services of collaborating with people smuggling gangs and far-left, "neo-Marxist" humanitarian groups to flood Europe and the UK with illegal migrants as a strategy to destabilize the European Union and Britain. He claimed that Russian spies help identify vulnerabilities in the EU's external borders, particularly Bulgaria's newly established Schengen border with Turkey, and provide migrants with advice on evading deportation. Mitov also warned that some NGOs, possibly unwittingly, assist these operations under ideological pretexts advocating for open borders and unrestricted migration. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper corroborated these concerns, emphasizing the threat posed by hostile state actors, and pledged continued support for Bulgaria and NATO allies in securing Europe's external frontiers through intelligence sharing, equipment, and training. The issue is gaining prominence ahead of a planned summit in London hosted by Sir Keir Starmer to discuss coordinated efforts to combat illegal immigration through the Western Balkans. Authorities have cautioned British youths against aiding such groups at the Bulgaria-Turkey border, highlighting legal consequences for involvement.