Former Greek spy boss denies using illegal malware – POLITICO

Former Greek spy boss denies using illegal malware – POLITICO

The former chief of Greece’s intelligence service told judges the agency didn’t use illegal phone malware between 2019 and 2022 to spy on targets, Reuters reported, citing court documents. The surveillance scandal broke in August 2022 when it was revealed that the government had wiretapped the phone of opposition Socialist Pasok leader Nikos Androulakis. Investigative … Read more

French Olympics rail disruptions could last all weekend – POLITICO

French Olympics rail disruptions could last all weekend – POLITICO

Traffic is back to normal on eastern high-speed lines, it said, adding that customers would be alerted by email or text message if their trains are delayed or cancelled. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said in a post on X that monitoring on SCNF’s lines has “have been strengthened with the support of law enforcement.” “It’s … Read more

Germany arrests 3 men for spying on Ukrainian target – POLITICO

Germany arrests 3 men for spying on Ukrainian target – POLITICO

European governments and spy-catchers have grown increasingly concerned about an uptick of espionage in the bloc since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. From France to Bulgaria, Russian snoops, often working under diplomatic cover, have been expelled en masse. Last week, the foreign ministers of eight EU countries wrote to the bloc’s top … Read more

Estonia sentences Russian professor to six years in prison over espionage – POLITICO

Estonia sentences Russian professor to six years in prison over espionage – POLITICO

The professor had forwarded information to Russia’s military intelligence service “about the political situation and elections in Estonia, allied relations and integration,” the prosecutor added. “This was information that he had access to due to his position as a researcher as well as publicly available information that Russia could use to threaten Estonia.” The court … Read more

Germany’s CDU hit by major cyberattack – POLITICO

Germany’s CDU hit by major cyberattack – POLITICO

Politically motivated cyberattacks have increased ahead of this month’s EU election, with many linked to Russian state-sponsored actors. Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), last week told media that overall attempted attacks doubled from the last quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of this year. “This is part of … Read more

Ukraine embraces far-right Russian ‘bad guy’ to take the battle to Putin – POLITICO

Ukraine embraces far-right Russian ‘bad guy’ to take the battle to Putin – POLITICO

From football fields to the battlefield The 40-year-old Kapustin was born in Moscow. He moved with his parents at the age of 17 to Cologne, Germany, where he quickly established a fearsome reputation as a street-brawling white-power skinhead always up for a punch-up with everyone, especially Antifa activists. He tells POLITICO he was unhappy with … Read more

Zelenskyy fires senior aide in continuing reshuffle – POLITICO

Zelenskyy fires senior aide in continuing reshuffle – POLITICO

Last month, Zelenskyy removed Valerii Zaluzhnyi as head of the armed forces. He was appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom earlier this month. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said on Saturday that Russia launched 12 Shahed drones overnight, nine of which were shot down, and fired four missiles into eastern Ukraine. Russia has unleashed a barrage of … Read more

Russian propaganda network paid MEPs, Belgian PM says – POLITICO

Russian propaganda network paid MEPs, Belgian PM says – POLITICO

De Croo’s spokesperson told POLITICO the prime minister was referring in his remarks to the Czech government’s decision to sanction the news site Voice of Europe, which Prague said was part of a pro-Russian influence operation. The Czech foreign ministry announced Wednesday it had sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, an ally of Russian President Vladimir … Read more

Zelenskyy yanks outspoken security council boss, appoints spy chief in his stead

Zelenskyy yanks outspoken security council boss, appoints spy chief in his stead

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced one of his longest-serving officials, Oleksiy Danilov, who had earlier criticized a Chinese peace plan. “Today I continued rebooting the system of managing our state. There are staff replacements. I am grateful to Oleksiy Danilov for his work as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council … Read more

Pro-EU diplomat defeats coalition stalwart in first round – POLITICO

Pro-EU diplomat defeats coalition stalwart in first round – POLITICO

“I should say honestly that I need to reach out more to voters who supported the government parties,” Korčok said from his Bratislava election headquarters as the early count was released. “It’s clear that they’re not satisfied with how this government is ruling, where it’s taking Slovakia.” Pellegrini has served as speaker of parliament since … Read more