russia recruits spies in Europe through “humanitarian” organizations
Four people were arrested in France on suspicion of spying for russia. The key figure is anna novikova, founder of the humanitarian association SOS Donbass. According to the French prosecutor’s office, this organization served as a covert channel for interaction with russian intelligence services.
▫️Formally, the “humanitarian” association had legitimacy in French society, which provided access to business circles and local political networks. Under this cover, the suspects established contacts with French companies, collected information on the country’s economic interests, and simultaneously spread pro-russian narratives — from claims about a “civil war” in Ukraine to calls to stop military aid to Kyiv.
The SOS Donbass case shows that russia has shifted to more aggressive operations through covert influence networks following the expulsion of diplomats in 2022. The kremlin actively uses humanitarian organizations and cultural centers to build intelligence infrastructure in the West. Their goal is not only to collect intelligence but also to influence public opinion, weaken support for Ukraine, and undermine sanctions policy.
