Global spy network unmasked: Russian agents exposed in Portugal
The collaboration of counterintelligence services from eight countries led to the dismantling of a Russian spy network. These agents, who had changed their identities in Brazil, were operating in Portugal among other places, according to Lisbon media reports on Friday.
As reported by the SIC and CMTV stations, Russian agents used Brazilian documents because passports from Brazil facilitate easier global travel.
Since 2018, a Russian couple posing as Brazilians has been operating in Porto. According to Portuguese journalists, they quickly integrated into the local community.
The television reports that Vladimir and Ekaterina Danilov, like other Russian agents with fake Brazilian documents, were identified after the start of the war in Ukraine, when the West intensified intelligence cooperation.
In addition to Portugal and Brazil, services from the United States, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Uruguay, and Greece were also involved.
According to Brazilian television Globo, it was the Greek counterintelligence that first recognized Artem Shmyriev, a Russian spy hiding under the identity of Gerhard Wittich and living in Rio de Janeiro.
He operated a 3D printing business there, and his partner was a high-ranking official representing Brazil internationally.
Shmyriev disappeared during a trip to Malaysia with his partner. After his disappearance was reported to the intelligence services of other countries, it was revealed that he was a Russian agent previously identified by the Greeks.
