Switzerland is home to about one-fifth of the Russian agents operating in Europe, according to a report by the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (FIS). The report, which was leaked to the Swiss newspaper NZZ, says that there are about 250 Russian spies in Switzerland, mainly in Geneva, where many international organizations and diplomatic missions are located.
The report says that the Russian spies are mainly interested in gathering information on political, economic, scientific and military issues, as well as influencing decision-makers and public opinion. The report also warns that the Russian spies pose a threat to the security and neutrality of Switzerland, as they could compromise sensitive data, recruit informants, sabotage infrastructure or conduct cyberattacks.
Switzerland has been a spy hub for decades, due to its strategic location, its reputation as a neutral country and its role as a host of many international negotiations and conferences. “Switzerland is a spy hub. It’s not new and it’s not going to change,” said Jean-Marc Rickli, head of global risk at Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
However, the report says that the number of Russian spies in Switzerland has increased significantly in recent years, as other countries have expelled many Russian diplomats accused of espionage since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. “The number of Russian intelligence officers in Switzerland is disproportionately high compared to other countries,” the report says.
The report also reveals that the FIS has been monitoring and disrupting the activities of the Russian spies, but without taking any legal action against them. The Swiss government has been reluctant to impose sanctions or expel diplomats as a way of maintaining communication channels with Russia, despite the pressure from some Swiss politicians and allies.
The report also suggests that Switzerland is not the only target of the Russian spies, but rather a part of a broader strategy by Russia to regain its status as a global power.
Relevant articles:
– Switzerland’s Thriving Russian Spy Hub Draws Scrutiny, NZZ Says, Bloomberg, October 8, 2023
– Media: 1 in 5 Europe-based Russian spies located in Switzerland, Yahoo News, October 8, 2023
– Fifth of Russian spies in Europe are in Switzerland, Yahoo News, October 8, 2023
– Switzerland Hosts Largest Number Of Russian Spies Across Europe – Intelligence, MENAFN, October 8, 2023