In the assessment that the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Western countries can, in addition to its symbolic meaning at the political and diplomatic level, have a much more substantial value in favor of weakening Russian espionage, according to the authoritative American newspaper The Washington Post.
The well-informed media of the American capital points out that “in the international game” spy against spy “Europe has dealt a potentially catastrophic blow to Russia”.
In its analysis, the Post points out that more than 20 European countries, including Greece, have expelled hundreds of members of the Russian diplomatic staff from embassies and consulates after the Russia invaded Ukraine. US and European officials say a significant number of those deported are spies under the guise of a diplomat.
Russia relies on these networks to gather information from the countries where they serve, so the deportations may dismantle large parts of Moscow’s spy networks and lead to a dramatic reduction in espionage and anti-Western intelligence operations, the report said. according to active and former officials.
“The information war with Russia is in full swing,” said Mark Polymeropoulos, a former CIA operative in charge of covert operations in Europe and Russia. “This will be a major blow to Russian intelligence operations in “Europe,” he added. Officials note that this is the largest historically coordinated deportation of diplomats in Europe.
“Europe has always been a playground for Russians. They have caused chaos with election interference and assassinations. It was a step that should have been taken a long time ago “, stressed Mr. Polymeropoulos.
In the last six weeks, European countries have demanded the removal of nearly 400 Russian diplomats, according to the Washington Post. Even countries that have long avoided confrontation with Russia are among those who have declared some Russian diplomats undesirable.
Supposedly diplomats
For example, deportations from the Czech Republic (formerly much more lenient with Moscow) have left only six Russian diplomats in Prague. In a post, the Czech Foreign Ministry wrote in capital letters “WE FORCED 100 RUSSIANS” DIPLOMATS “TO LEAVE”, implying that they were not diplomats but members of intelligence services.
A senior European diplomat called the deportation of Russians a “major disruption” to Russia’s intelligence-gathering work in Europe, and possibly permanent. He added that the Kremlin would find it difficult to replace its lost staff.
“The placement and guidance will take time and may not be possible at all,” said the same diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
European governments have been discussing a coordinated expulsion of Russians for more than a month, but some of them have moved faster following the revelation of a massacre of civilians on the outskirts of Kiev, officials say.
Lithuania and Latvia, which usually have the initiative in anti-Kremlin moves, ordered the closure of Russian consulates this week and launched a new wave of deportations of Russian diplomats, including the Russian ambassador to Lithuania himself. “This is painful for the Russians, we have closed their regional network,” according to a senior Baltic diplomatic source.
The simultaneous deportation of hundreds of Russians “highlights the seriousness of the allied reaction,” Mr Polymeropoulos commented. “There is always the expectation that if a country expels some Russians, Moscow will respond with the corresponding embassy in Russia, against the country’s diplomats there. “But the fact that so many countries have decided on mass deportations shows how much the risk calculation has changed.”
kathimerini.gr
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