Covert Intel and Operations

PODCAST: #38 Dr Ian Stanier, former head of the U.K. Counter-Terrorism Policing’s HUMINT Unit, discusses informant management, informant motivation, the Stasi and the recruitment of Kim Philby. Listen via Reducing Crime on m.soundcloud.com/reducingcrime/…

NEW: Following the embarrassing lapses of Unit 29155, the GRU created a new, bespoke assassination and sabotage unit known as Center 795, meant to be "air-gapped" against compromise. Its top operative, Denis Alimov, is now in a jail cell in Colombia awaiting extradition to the U.S. because he used Google Translate to task his Serbian hitman. The FBI had everything in real time. And we've just burned the rest of Putin's brand new black ops squad. theins.press/en/inv/290235

🚨NEW: A Russian spy alert has been issued to British NATO staff working at a key military site for the alliance's support for Ukraine. Officials staying at a hotel near NATO's central support hub for Ukraine in Wiesbaden, Germany reported suspicious individuals surveilling the hotel, leading to a guidance that the site is a likely target for Kremlin spying. Further revelations detail how Russian spies are becoming increasingly active around military bases, key ports and other hotels used by the alliance across Europe. inews.co.uk/news/nato-warn…

Britain must be more vigilant to the risk of sabotage by hostile states ft.com/content/720543… via @ft

FBI, CISA issue PSA on Russian intelligence campaign to target messaging apps cyberscoop.com/fbi-cisa-issue…

Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives. But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected public servants of our time. Michelle and I send our condolences to Bob’s family, and everyone who knew and admired him.

Robert Mueller, ex-FBI chief who led Trump-Russia investigation, dies at 81 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Good overview of tactics being used to compromise Signal accounts. Government/military officials, or anyone working at the intersection of Russian security issues (private sector, journalists, civil society orgs writ large) should urgently review. ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA26…

Israeli air defense reservist accused of spying for Iran timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

Germany news: Ukrainians on trial over Russia spying claims p.dw.com/p/5AWcX?at_med…

Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war. (In unrelated news, Trump received 4 student deferments while in college and a 4-F medical deferment in 1968 for bone spurs in his heels, which exempted him from service during the Vietnam War) . reuters.com/world/trump-ca…

This week, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Sir Brian Leveson, met with Blaise Metreweli, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Independent oversight of the UK's intelligence agencies is central to IPCO's mission. [1/2]

Officer reportedly leaks location of French aircraft carrier with Strava run bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Iranian man arrested trying to enter Faslane nuclear base. An Iranian man has been arrested with a woman after trying to enter the Faslane naval base, home to the UK's nuclear-armed submarines. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

A senior Dutch counterespionage official has warned that foreign governments are recruiting ordinary Europeans for spying and sabotage. That makes such activities harder to counter, he says. 🔗 politico.eu/article/russia…

Undercover cops boosted across 9 more forces. Project Vigilant is expanding to 9 more forces, boosting undercover patrols to disrupt predatory behaviour and prevent violence against women and girls. gov.uk/government/new…

Marco Rubio betrayed drug gang informants to seal El Salvador prison deal, report says | The Independent independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…

Iran arrests 500 accused of giving information to enemies, police chief says | Reuters reuters.com/world/middle-e…

The CIA urges Iranians to reach out as informants in rare move cnbc.com/2026/02/25/the…

New HMRC reward scheme for whistleblowers introduced | macfarlanes. The Government has introduced a new ‘strengthened reward scheme’ to incentivise informants to report serious tax avoidance or evasion to HMRC macfarlanes.com/insights/102lw…

Iran Arrests 20 People Accused of Being Informants to Israel english.aawsat.com/world/5251423-…