A notorious Russian spy ring operating across Britain and Europe has been dismantled after six Bulgarian nationals were sentenced to a combined 50 years at the Old Bailey today, following a sweeping investigation into espionage conducted on behalf of Moscow.
The case, described by counter-terrorism police as "espionage on an industrial scale," has exposed a chilling web of surveillance plots and state-sponsored deception, stretching from London to Montenegro and beyond.
Who Was Involved?
The convicted individuals are:
- Orlin Roussev – 10 years, 8 months
- Bizer Dzhambazov – 10 years, 2 months
- Katrin Ivanova – 9 years, 8 months
- Tihomir Ivanchev – 8 years
- Vanya Gaberova – 6 years, 8 months, 3 weeks
- Ivan Stoyanov – 5 years, 3 weeks
Three of the defendants – Ivanova, Gaberova, and Ivanchev – were found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage. The remaining trio pleaded guilty to breaches under the Official Secrets Act 1911.
What Were They Doing?
The spy ring’s activities included:
- Targeting a Bellingcat journalist linked to Russia’s involvement in the Salisbury poisonings.
- Surveilling a former Kazakh politician and staging fake protests at the Kazakhstan embassy.
- Spying on a US military base in Germany, believed to train Ukrainian forces.
- Tracking a pro-Western figure in Montenegro classified by Russia as a "foreign agent".
The group, led by Orlin Roussev, used spyware hidden in everyday items, and communicated via over 200,000 encrypted messages, as revealed in Crown Prosecution Service court documents.
Mastermind and Moscow Ties
Prosecutors said the spy ring was coordinated by Austrian businessman Jan Marsalek, a former executive at Wirecard, who is currently on international wanted lists. Intelligence analysts claim the case exemplifies Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, with outsourced operatives executing missions across European soil.
Reaction from Authorities
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command, said:
"This was a rare and complex operation, dealing with hostile-state activity on British soil. These convictions send a strong message: espionage will not be tolerated."
MI5 described the case as a “milestone moment in safeguarding UK national security.”
Legal Background
- Offences prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 and Criminal Law Act 1977.
- Trial spanned three months, with covert footage, digital forensics, and undercover testimony used in evidence.
Broader Geopolitical Impact
The UK’s intelligence community says this case represents a "wakeup call" amid rising concerns of state-sponsored espionage from hostile regimes. The National Security Act 2023 has been pivotal in enabling prosecutions for espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference.
European agencies, including ENISA and the OSCE, have echoed fears of expanding Russian cyber and intelligence threats.
Public and Social Media Response
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) saw strong public support for the convictions:
- @HomeOfficeUK: "The sentencing of six Russian spies today underscores our zero-tolerance approach to hostile-state activity."
- @SecurityWatchUK: "Orlin Roussev – the ringleader – has been rightly dealt with. Let this be a warning to foreign actors operating in our country."
What Happens Next?
The Home Office is expected to review deportation options for those who served time. Meanwhile, the UK will expand intelligence cooperation with NATO and European allies, focusing on countering "non-traditional threats" such as espionage, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns.
More from: Bellingcat surveillance · Counter terror police · Court News
