Russian spy ring in Australia busted after major counter espionage operation

The Australian home intelligence service spent months monitoring the spies and ensured they didn’t suspect they have been being watched, the Sydney Morning Herald stories.

Sources with information of the ASIO operation say a number of the Russian brokers posed as diplomatic and consular workers whereas others used deep cowl identities.

The Russian embassy within the Canberra suburb of Griffith. (Supplied)

They operated from a lot of areas, together with the Russian embassy in Canberra, sources mentioned, earlier than they have been compelled out of Australia.

Their aim was to recruit Australians with entry to confidential info and steal knowledge utilizing superior expertise.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess on Tuesday described the spy ring however didn’t title Russia.

His point out of the Russian spy ring got here as he warned Australia faces an unprecedented risk of espionage and overseas interference with extra Australians being focused by brokers than ever earlier than.

Multiple nations have been utilizing espionage and overseas interference to advance their pursuits and undermine ASIO efforts.

ASIO secretary-general of safety Mike Burgess warned Australia was a goal for a number of overseas espionage age2023 risk evaluation. (ASIO/Twitter)

“They are using espionage to covertly understand Australia’s politics and decision-making, our alliances and partnerships, and our economic and policy priorities,” Burgess mentioned.

“Based on what ASIO is seeing, more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than at any time in Australia’s history – more hostile foreign intelligence services, more spies, more targeting, more harm, more ASIO investigations, more ASIO disruptions.”