Australia uncovers Russian espionage ring, expels spies: Report
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Loading... - Celia Stevens
- 28 Feb 2023
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Russian spy ring operated in Australia for 18 months before it was uncovered and its activities broken up by Australian intelligence organisation, report says.
Australia has exposed and quietly expelled a large Russian spy ring whose members were posing as diplomats, a local newspaper has reported just days after Australia’s intelligence chief revealed that his agency had scored a major counterespionage success.
The spy ring comprised purported embassy and consular staff as well as other operatives using deep-cover identities, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the operation.The ring had operated in Australia for 18 months before it was uncovered and its activities were broken up by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the country’s main domestic spy agency, the newspaper reported.
The Russian spies were quietly forced out of Australia over the past six months with their visas not renewed or cancelled, the newspaper reported. There were concerns that publicly expelling the spies could lead to retaliation by Moscow against diplomats and other Australians living in Russia.
The Russian embassy in Australia had not responded to a request for comment on Friday. Read More..
