Key Takeaways:

• Three Bulgarian nationals were convicted of espionage for Russia by a London jury.
• Their operations targeted journalists, diplomats, and Ukrainian civilians, posing a significant threat.
• Authorities discovered sophisticated spying technology and extensive plans for various espionage activities.
• The ring was directed by Orlin Roussev, who received substantial funding from a suspected Russian agent.

Three Bulgarian nationals have been found guilty of conducting extensive espionage on behalf of Russia from their base in the UK. The jury at London’s Central Criminal Court concluded that Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, operated an extensive spying network known informally as "the Minions," orchestrated under the orders of Russian intelligence. Their operations, which lasted from 2020 to 2023, were described by police as being executed on an industrial scale, posing considerable risks to multiple lives.

The trio was accused of surveilling various Kremlin opponents, including journalists and Ukrainian military personnel, all while living double lives and engaged in complex personal relationships among their ranks. The prosecution presented evidence that included thousands of text messages detailing plans to carry out kidnappings and even potential assassination attempts. The ring's activities spanned several European countries, including Germany, where they tracked Ukrainian forces trained at a US military installation, according to authorities.

As part of their intelligence-gathering efforts, the convicted individuals reportedly attempted to recruit a Bulgarian journalist known for exposing Russian operations, such as the infamous 2018 Novichok poisoning case linked to Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. This journalist was targeted for a so-called “honeytrap,” a ploy involving romantic deception to gather information. Other targets included Roman Dobrokhotov, a journalist who has reported critical details about the Kremlin.

The investigative team, which has been characterized as sophisticated, operated under the direction of Orlin Roussev, who, alongside his associate Biser Dzhambazov, had previously admitted to conspiracy to spy and hold false identity documents. Standing as a key financial backer, Roussev was funded to the extent of 200,000 euros (approximately $217,000) for the espionage endeavors. Evidence suggests he was directly in contact with Jan Marsalek, an Austrian man reportedly wanted for involvement in various unethical financial practices tied to Russian intelligence.

Authorities recovered sophisticated surveillance equipment, including covert devices concealed within everyday objects. These included spy gadgets hidden in items such as a standard rock, ties, and even a toy, reflecting the creative lengths to which the spy ring went to strive for operational secrecy.

The defendants now face sentencing that could impose prison terms of up to 14 years, pending the conclusion of judicial proceedings scheduled for May. Their case emphasizes both the depth of espionage activity targeting vulnerable individuals and entities within European borders and the complex networks managing these operations.

For more details, please refer to the original articles on BBC, CBS News, India Times, and Al Jazeera.