Ukrainian intelligence released sensitive information on more than 600 alleged Russian spies in Europe

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Intelligence released a list of more than 600 alleged Russian spies working in Europe in an attempt to expose them and weaken Russia's intelligence operations across the continent.

The intelligence wing of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published on Monday the “list of employees of the FSB of the Russian Federation registered at the address: Moscow, St. Bolshaya Lubyanka”. The FSB is the successor agency to the KGB, Russia's notorious espionage arm.

The list, published in Russian and apparently not available on the English version of the ministry's website, provides names, phone numbers, passport numbers, “registration addresses”, license plate numbers, and sometimes financial details of 620 suspected Russian spies. In some cases, the list includes a home address.

A supposed FSB agent has a Skype address that includes the phrase “jamesbond007″, along with the characters “DB9″, in reference to Bond's Aston Martin. According to the description of Ukrainian intelligence, another agent likes “premium cars”, while a third is a heavy drinker who “systematically violates traffic rules”.

Ukrainian officials also accused the spies of being involved in “criminal” activities in Europe, without giving details. It raises the possibility that some of the people identified on the list are working as spies in Britain.

Ukrainian officials did not reveal how they had obtained the list. But Aric Toler, a researcher at the research website Bellingcat, said that some of the data appeared to be based on previous leaks of sensitive Russian intelligence.

Last week, according to multiple press reports, Russia launched a hunt for “Western spies” at the FSB, implying that Moscow fears that the agency has been infiltrated.

In early March, an FSB complainant claimed that his spies had not been informed about plans for an invasion of Ukraine and described the war as a “total failure” similar to the collapse of Nazi Germany.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly placed some important FSB figures under house arrest. The move appeared to be a retaliation for the detailed plans for the invasion of Russia obtained and disclosed by Western intelligence agencies.

Multiple reports say that Putin is increasingly paranoid with members of his inner circle, as well as with Russian intelligence agents, who he fears may betray him.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia's Defense Minister, disappeared for two weeks starting March 11, fueling speculation that he had been imprisoned or removed from office.

He then reappeared during a Zoom meeting of the Russian security council. A Russian official explained his absence by saying that “the Minister of Defense has a lot on his mind right now.”

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