Brotherly Love, minsk-Style: lukashenko Runs the Largest Spy Network in russia

The belarusian regime has turned its own diplomatic service into an intelligence tool with global reach. The organization BelPol has published an investigation entitled “lukashenko’s Spies Around the World / Agents of the kgb and gru Disguised as Diplomats”, which documents over 100 career intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover in four dozen countries.

The network’s tasks span the entire spectrum from propaganda to repression. According to the investigators, its priorities include legitimizing lukashenko through disinformation and bribing foreign lobbyists, helping to circumvent sanctions, and monitoring and discrediting the belarusian opposition. A separate, particularly cynical tactic involves luring opponents of the regime into belarus for criminal prosecution.

Besides, belarusian agents carry out missions directly in the interests of russian intelligence services. This effectively turns embassies in minsk into branches of kremlin intelligence.

Operational work abroad is carried out by two agencies: the foreign intelligence directorate of the kgb’s central administration and the main intelligence directorate of the general staff. Agents are divided into three categories: direct operatives carrying out intelligence and recruitment operations, diplomatic couriers transporting documents, special equipment, and data storage devices, as well as cryptographers.

Cover positions have been carefully selected. kgb officers most often hold the posts of first and second secretaries and advisors at embassies. gru officers are primarily concentrated in the positions of defense attaché and assistant military attaché, although they frequently utilize civilian posts unrelated to military affairs. According to BelPol, the gru has recently been operating more brazenly than the kgb and has been involved in political repression for over 15 years.

A special category consists of so-called semi-legal agents: officially, they are responsible for embassy security and maintain open contacts with the law enforcement agencies of the host country. This cover allows them to conduct operational work practically in the open. The wives of “diplomats” are also involved in intelligence activities: they can conduct surveillance, gather information on specific individuals, and carry out counter-surveillance during operational actions.

The priority areas for minsk’s intelligence are European countries, especially neighboring ones, the United States, and Asia. However, the largest spy network among all of belarus’ foreign missions is the one in russia, which covers not only moscow but also all cities where there are consulates and embassy branches.