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Russia is hiring migrants from outside the European Union to carry out crimes, spread fear, and undermine trust in EU governments, according to the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) in its 2024 annual report, as cited by Politico.
Czech intelligence stated that Russia uses Telegram to recruit potential agents for various criminal activities, such as filming military bases or logistics hubs for military aid destined for Ukraine, and committing acts of arson.
The BIS report notes that, beyond gathering intelligence or causing direct harm, these actions are also meant to inflict psychological damage:
“This includes weakening the cohesion of Western societies, spreading fear and uncertainty, undermining public trust in the state’s ability to protect its citizens, and increasing pressure to reduce support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression,” the report states.
Czech intelligence emphasized that in many cases, the recruited individuals do not even realize they are working for Russia, as they are hired through intermediaries.
In addition, BIS reported that Moscow spreads its influence in the Czech Republic through the Russian Orthodox Church, which is fully loyal to the Kremlin.
Since 2022, the Czech Republic has maintained its own list of individuals who support the Putin regime and has imposed national sanctions against them. Those listed include:
- Patriarch Kirill of Moscow
- Russian businessman Vladimir Yevtushenkov and his son Felix
- Russia’s chief missile designer Boris Obnosov
- Ukrainian pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk
Last year, Czech authorities issued a wanted notice for Andrey Averyanov — a high-ranking GRU officer believed to be responsible for the 2014 ammunition depot explosions in Vrbětice.
On April 2, the Czech government also added to its sanctions list Belarusian “journalist” Natalia Sudliankova and her handler from Russian military intelligence, Alexey Shavrov.
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