Today in Focus A spy ring – and a love triangle
Mar 14, 2025
Dan Sabbagh, The Guardian’s defence and security editor, and Roman Dobrychotov, editor-in-chief of The Insider, dive into the shocking unraveling of a Russian spy ring in Europe. They discuss bizarre espionage tactics revealed during a police raid, spotlighting the personal relationships intertwined with these covert operations. The conversation also touches on the brutal realities faced by dissenting journalists in exile and the psychological toll of such encounters. Expect an engaging tale of intrigue and resilience against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions.
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Spy Ring Origins
- A Russian spy, Jan Marsalek, requested an investigation into Christo Grozev, a Bellingcat journalist.
- This request initiated the formation of a Bulgarian spy ring in the UK.
Grozev Surveillance
- The spy ring surveilled Grozev across Europe, tracking his movements and intercepting his mail.
- They monitored his activities, even following him to a conference in Valencia.
Love Triangle and Lies
- Orlin Rusev, the ringleader, recruited Biza Zhambazov and Katrin Ivanova, Zhambazov's partner.
- Zhambazov also involved Vanya Gaborova, claiming to work for Interpol and having brain cancer, while maintaining his relationship with Ivanova.