British MI5 ordered to target spies from Russia and China

Rising espionage challenges from Moscow and Beijing are more pressing than terrorism, UK authorities say.

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The UK government has ordered the counter-intelligence agency MI5 to “refocus” its counter-terrorism efforts to combat espionage from Russia, China and Iran. The Telegraph reported this on June 1, citing sources.

It noted that domestic and international terrorism remains a priority for MI5, but now more resources are being directed to counterintelligence operations in Russia, China and Iran.

“Ministers have asked MI5 to focus most of its efforts on the espionage threat, particularly the state threat from China, Russia and, more recently, Iran,” said a senior government source.

The interlocutor recalled that in 2018, Britain expelled 23 Russian spies in response to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, and since then Moscow has been “trying to attract new sources to close the gaps.”

Also, Britain’s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia led to an increase in espionage activities.

Around 20 Chinese embassy staff in Britain are believed to be working as spies, intelligence sources said. Chinese agents are also active in academia, business and even the arts.

In addition, intelligence officials believe that Iran is using organized crime groups to carry out intimidation operations and plan assassinations in the UK.

“The terrorist threat level remains significant, which means an attack is likely, but in reality the challenges posed by China and Russia are now more pressing,” said another government source.

Let’s remember that in April Britain officially accused two people of spying for China.

A family of spies with a villa. Russian agents in the Czech Republic

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