Russia interested in entire Europe as ‘zone of influence’ – Ukrainian intelligence

Russia’s spy network continues actively working across EU countries, because Putin is interested in all of Europe as a ‘zone of influence’.

The relevant statement was made by Andrii Cherniak, the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, in an interview with Greece’s Iefimerida, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

“One of their [Russians’ – Ed.] core objectives is to influence individual prominent figures in other countries, as well as public opinion in these countries. That’s why Russians invest a lot in the work they do with the media. These are both their open propaganda mouthpieces, like Russia Today, and others, more covert ways of influence. There are cases, when Russian-recruited journalists in the foreign mass media go to work, and the only task assigned to them is to talk to their colleagues to influence their opinion in favor of Russia,” Cherniak told.

In his words, Russia’s military espionage has lately focused on the efforts to neutralize Western arms supplies to Ukraine.

“Putin is not only interested in Ukraine. He is interested in all of Europe as a ‘zone of influence’. If he conquers Ukraine, he will not stop, he will go further. And we know that he had such plans before invading Ukraine. Perhaps, they have not changed even now,” Cherniak added.

Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry