Russian spy ring in Australia busted after major counter espionage operation
A Russian spy ring in Australia operated in the country for more than 18 months before it was broken in a counter espionage operation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
The Australian domestic intelligence service spent months tracking the spies and ensured they did not suspect they were being watched, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Sources with knowledge of the ASIO operation say some of the Russian agents posed as diplomatic and consular staff while others used deep cover identities.
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The Russian embassy in the Canberra suburb of Griffith. Supplied
They operated from a number of locations, including the Russian embassy in Canberra, sources said, before they were forced out of Australia.
Their goal was to recruit Australians with access to confidential information and steal data using advanced technology.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess on Tuesday described the spy ring but did not name Russia.
His mention of the Russian spy ring came as he warned Australia faces an unprecedented threat of espionage and foreign interference with more Australians being targeted by agents than ever before.
Multiple nations were using espionage and foreign interference to advance their interests and undermine ASIO efforts.
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ASIO secretary-general of security Mike Burgess warned Australia was a target for multiple foreign espionage age2023 threat assessment. ASIO/Twitter
"They are using espionage to covertly understand Australia's politics and decision-making, our alliances and partnerships, and our economic and policy priorities," Burgess said.
"Based on what ASIO is seeing, more Australians are being targeted for espionage and foreign interference than at any time in Australia's history – more hostile foreign intelligence services, more spies, more targeting, more harm, more ASIO investigations, more ASIO disruptions."
Asked about the spy ring at a press conference in Wollongong, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment.
"I don't comment on national security briefings but I would just say that ASIO do a very good job and we provide them with every resource and support we ask for," he said.
He spoke at length about the war in Ukraine, which he described as an "illegal and immoral invasion".
"There is no question that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine," he said.
"I have seen it firsthand when I visited Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelenskyy."
He called on Vladimir Putin to "stop this war now".
"No-one is threatening Russia. No-one is threatening Russia sovereignty.
"There is no need for you to continue this war, which is causing damage not just to the people of Ukraine but to those Russian soldiers who are being sent to the front line."
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