MI5

Russia
Moscow tightens administrative grip on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory

Kremlin ideologues are preparing elections in Ukraine's Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass regions in a bid to strengthen Moscow's administrative control.

The Intelligence Gazette
Defence intelligence, Eurocorps headed by Pole, US adviser in Tbilisi, and Irsem under investigation

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris, via Warsaw and Tbilisi.

United KingdomMilitary intelligence soon to be included in Tri-Agency's China initiative

Europe/PolandWarsaw takes up residence at Eurocorps in Strasbourg

US/GeorgiaA new US adviser in Tbilisi

FranceStrife and internal investigation at defence ministry think tank Irsem

North Korea, Russia, Ukraine
North Korean labourers ready to start rebuilding the Donbass in mid-July

Russian deputy PM Marat Khusnullin's teams are ready to start welcoming North Korean building workers in Moscow before sending them off into the territories occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine. The operation is creating a lot of work for Russia's security and para-security services.

France
French government opposes extending reach of private security watchdog CNAPS to overseas

A confidential French government report is opposed to giving the private security watchdog CNAPS oversight of the activities of private security and defence service companies and security consultants' operating overseas.

Russia, Ukraine
Non-profit body Popular Unity is present in Russian political and security circles and the Donbass

Thanks to its diversified management structure, the non-profit Popular Unity has a large network of connections, which includes the FSB, business people and senators. Like other associations with security connections, it operates in the Donbass, as well as among the Russian elite.

Ukraine
Complaints rain down on Ukraine's economic intelligence service

Criticisms of Kyiv's economic security office, the BEB, have been flying in thick and fast. A parliamentary investigation continues to reveal cracks within the service, even as it signs on new partnerships with foreign services.

Russia
Armaments conglomerate Kalashnikov boosts its drone production

To meet a massive increase in demand from the Russian forces in Ukraine, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov group has requisitioned shopping centres in Izhevsk, capital of the Udmurt Republic, for use as drone production plants.

Ukraine
Ukrainian know-how still exporting to Africa, despite the war

Armed with their experience in electronic warfare and interception, several Ukrainian companies are finding outlets on the African continent, such as in Ethiopia and South Africa.

Belarus
Belarusian border guards change chief as crisis brews

Lukashenko has replaced one of his most loyal security lieutenants, Anatoly Lappo, at the head of the State Border Committee as tensions rise at the country's borders. He has been replaced by Konstantin Molostov whose background reflects Minsk's short-term strategic thinking.

The Corporate Intelligence Village Voice
A likely Chinese PMC in London, James Stothard moves into investigation, Hervé Zany poaches DGSI staff, DGBI falls back on Geneva, Diligence veteran goes solo

Appointments, financial results, new contracts: every Wednesday, we report on events big and small that matter in the global corporate intelligence community, from London to Paris and Shanghai.

London/ShanghaiA possible Chinese PMC in London

LondonJames Stothard moves from asset recovery to investigation

ParisHervé Zany poaches hire from interior ministry

ChamonixNick Day moves back to Geneva

LondonDiligence veteran goes solo in business forensics

Kuwait
Bachar Kiwan gets UN consolation over his Kuwait conviction

The French-Syrian businessman, who is caught up in a scandal involving the Malaysian state fund 1MDB, may see a glimmer of hope in a recent decision by UN experts stating that the prison sentence against him was unlawful.

Russia
Kremlin's protection arm prevails in information war

The Russian state security agency, the FSO, has new responsibilities regarding information security. It must rub elbows with several other departments and especially with the FSB.