Russian spies continue to be a significant threat in the U.S., according to the FBI’s director, Christopher Wray. In a talk at Washington’s Spy Museum, Wray emphasized the continued presence of Russian intelligence officers in the country. While progress has been made in expelling Russian spies, the U.S. still faces a disproportionately large intelligence footprint. Wray stated that efforts are ongoing to block, prevent, and disrupt Russian espionage activities. He also highlighted the use of “cut-outs,” including individuals from other countries who are enlisted to spy for Russia.
Russia’s networks may extend beyond the U.S. On Friday, Cuban authorities arrested 17 people involved in a network that recruited Cubans for fighting in Ukraine. Additionally, Canada has included Russia in its public foreign interference inquiry, which also includes China and other countries that may have sought to influence internal affairs. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc acknowledged that democracies face a global challenge in countering foreign interference.
Canada’s foreign interference inquiry also includes Russia, China, and other countries. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized that China is not the only country attempting to interfere in inappropriate ways. He spoke with his U.K. counterpart about the challenges they face with foreign interference, referencing the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018.
In response to the Salisbury attack, Canada expelled four Russian diplomatic staff members. Then-Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland labeled them as intelligence officers or individuals who used their diplomatic status to undermine Canada’s security or interfere in democracy. Wray mentioned the poisoning and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as examples of the unconscionable activities carried out by the same individuals involved in Russian espionage. He concluded by asserting that the U.S. knows who it is up against.
— with files from Global News’ Aaron D’Andrea.
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