Russian Spy Network in Brazil Exposed by CIA Tip

A New York Times investigation revealed that Russian intelligence used Brazil to create false identities for elite operatives, allowing them to infiltrate Western institutions undetected for years. The network was exposed in 2022 after the CIA tipped off Brazilian authorities about Victor Muller Ferreira, whose real name is Sergey Cherkasov, as he attempted to intern at the International Criminal Court during war crimes probes against Russia. This led to 'Operation East,' which uncovered at least nine Russian agents using Brazilian covers, some deeply integrated into Brazilian society and holding influential positions. The operation exploited Brazil's decentralized registry systems to acquire authentic documents and evade detection. The revelations have intensified scrutiny of Brazil’s ties with Russia, though there is no evidence the Brazilian government was complicit. The case is seen as one of the most significant setbacks for Russian intelligence since the exposure of a similar network in the U.S. fifteen years ago.