Moscow is using the migration crisis as a hybrid weapon against the EU
The Bulgarian authorities stated that Russian spies help migrant smugglers, who organise illegal routes through the Balkans to the European Union.
This is reported by the The Telegraph citing sources in Bulgaria's intelligence services.
According to the investigators, Russian agents provide logistical, financial and technical support local criminal groups engaged in transporting migrants from the Middle East and Africa through Turkey and Bulgaria.
“The goal is to destabilise Europe”
Bulgarian officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Moscow coordinates the actions of smugglers, to deepen internal contradictions in the EU і fuelling anti-immigration sentiment.
«This is part of the Kremlin's hybrid strategy to create chaos, divide member states and reduce trust in European institutions,» said a Bulgarian intelligence official.
Channels from Turkey
The investigation showed that most of the routes passing through the Turkish-Bulgarian border, and then through Serbia to Hungary and Romania.
Bulgarian services have recorded that some intermediaries have direct contacts with former military and Russian special services personnel.
The government said it was considering strengthening border control and Appealing to the EU for support in countering «coordinated hybrid attacks».
EU warns of new wave of destabilisation
European experts believe that such actions by the Kremlin are a new stage of hybrid warfare, aimed at undermining European security through migration pressure.
«While Europe is focused on supporting Ukraine, Moscow is looking for other ways to create chaos, including through migration routes,» the analyst said. The Telegraph.
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