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Spotlight | Belarus, Russia, Ukraine
Deceased foreign minister was at heart of East- West intelligence games

Vladimir Makei's death lies at the heart of the great spy game between East and West © Sergey Guneev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool/EPA/MaxPPP//Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Handout/EPA/MaxPPP//Reuters//iStock/Gorodenkoff/Imaginima

Vladimir Makei's exchanges with Minsk's European allies were watched very closely by Russia, until Belarus's diplomacy chief unexpectedly died on 26 November in the Belarusian capital. [...]

Published on 05.12.2022 at 06:00 GMT Reading time 3 minutes

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Government Intelligence

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Alexander Lukashenko
Boris Gryzlov
Common Security Treaty Organisation
Dmitry Mezentsev
GRU
GU
Imangali Tasmagambetov
Robert Lansing Institute
SBU
Stanislav Zas
SZRU
Union State
Vladimir Makei

Belarus
Lukashenko removes top Belarusian military commanders

The Belarusian presidency carried out a series of personnel changes among its military top brass over the summer. Hidden among them were two sackings that stem from the failure of GRU efforts to infiltrate the opposition in exile.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 29.08.2023

Belarus, Ukraine
Parallel private diplomacy efforts between Kyiv and Minsk secretly thriving

Kyiv has been backing Minsk in Brussels despite Belarus's involvement with Russia. Thanks largely to the actions of well-connected middlemen in the business community, the war has not frayed the diplomatic ties between the two Eastern European capitals.

Subscribers only Corporate Intelligence 24.01.2023

Belarus, Russia
Russia ramps up strategic disinformation campaign north of Ukraine

To divert Kyiv's attentions away from the main theatres of war in Ukraine's east and south, Russian intelligence services and private military companies are conducting a growing number of manoeuvres in Belarus. Information about these operations is being carefully 'leaked'.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 17.01.2023

Belarus, Russia
New Russian foreign intelligence publication reveals all on Belarus's KGB

The SVR has launched a magazine featuring interviews of intelligence figures, advice on 'living with stress', crossword puzzles and poems written by Russian foreign intelligence veterans. The first issue published in December displays a focus on the Belarusian intelligence service.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 09.01.2023

The new magazine Razvedchik, published by the Council of Veterans of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, SVR.

Central Asia, Russia
Despite change at the top, sparring continues at CSTO

Kazakhstan's Imangali Tasmagambetov, the next head of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Central Asia's answer to NATO, will struggle to improve the body's standing with some member states.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 30.11.2022

Belarus, Russia, Ukraine
Moscow plans to hold Donbass with conscripts and prisoners

To make up for the extreme rawness of its recently mobilised recruits, Russia's military command has set up temporary training facilities near the front line and has taken steps to stem a growing tide of desertions.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 29.11.2022

Belarus, France
Minsk seeks to forge French connections

Belarus' President Lukashenko has launched secret diplomatic initiatives in Europe to hedge his bets in the event of a Russian defeat in Ukraine.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 20.09.2022

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Austria, Russia
Vienna's large spy population under close observation

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Austria's new intelligence service and the country's chancellor's dealings with Moscow have been under close scrutiny from Europe's intelligence community. This follows years of Vienna being sometimes described as a hub for Russian intelligence operations on the continent.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 18.04.2022

Belarus, France
Alisia, the French operation that neutralised Lukashenko

At the centre of everyone's attention, Minsk was the subject of an intelligence operation led by Paris that helped dissuade Alexander Lukashenko from sending his troops to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow is considering its next move, while its CIS allies are keeping a low profile.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 07.03.2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) during exercises of the Russian strategic deterrent forces in Moscow, 19 February 2022.

Belarus, Russia
Under pressure from Moscow, Lukashenko closes ranks around his new constitutional project

The Belarusan president is putting the finishing touches to the foundations of his new political and security policy by assuring himself of the support of popular veterans and his loyal base. Moscow, meanwhile, has sent former spymaster Boris Gryzlov to keep an eye on goings-on in Minsk.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 17.01.2022

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, at Sochi on the 15th of February 2019.

Set up email notifications for these topics

Alexander Lukashenko
Boris Gryzlov
Common Security Treaty Organisation
Dmitry Mezentsev
GRU
GU
Imangali Tasmagambetov
Robert Lansing Institute
SBU
Stanislav Zas
SZRU
Union State
Vladimir Makei

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