Following the 2022 mobilization in Russia, President Vladimir Putin utilized the mass exodus of Russians, ostensibly fleeing the draft, to infiltrate the European Union with Russian intelligence agents. This strategic move was highlighted in a Wall Street Journal report, noting that the open borders during the mobilization period allowed not only hundreds of thousands of Russians to escape but also enabled spies to blend in with refugees heading to Europe, Central Asia, and other regions. In a related development, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine last year met a violent end six months later, a fate that Moscow's intelligence agents had ominously predicted, stating he would not live to face trial. This incident, reported on 2024-03-03, underscores the increasing danger faced by individuals who choose to defy Putin, as the Kremlin intensifies its efforts to track down and eliminate defectors and perceived adversaries.
Powerful @WSJ story: Since Putin’s invasion, the West has ratcheted up attempts to attract a stream of defectors they hope could become a torrent. The Kremlin, in turn, has tried to hunt down its turncoats, one after the next, to deter more losses. https://t.co/6CNP8XlFwl
Putin used the mass migration of Russians during the 2022 mobilization to send spies to Europe The Wall Street Journal notes that Russia's open borders allowed hundreds of thousands of Russians to escape mobilization, with spies accompanying them to Europe, Central Asia, and the… https://t.co/FtLsaPcTP1
❗Russia took advantage of the flight of Russians during the 2022 mobilization to send its agents to the EU, - WSJ 👀 The publication reports that during the mobilization, Putin kept the borders open in order to send his intelligence agents abroad with the fleeing Russians. https://t.co/EI5Z0gFEea
When a Russian pilot defected to Ukraine last year, Moscow’s intelligence agents warned: “We’ll find him. He won’t live to face trial.” Six months later, he was murdered - the latest in a growing list of Kremlin foes found dead. W/@drewhinshaw @JoeWSJ https://t.co/oU0szI9LXb
UTTERLY SHOCKING: the Kremlin used the draft dodgers’ exodus from Russia to send spies all over the West as ‘refugees’. https://t.co/cDZDn3uE3b
Ukraine celebrated when a Russian helicopter pilot defected. It didn’t take long for him to die a violent death—increasingly, the fate awaiting people who cross Putin. https://t.co/re68JELiW0 https://t.co/re68JELiW0