Security Service

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 He has been replaced by Konstantin Molostov whose background reflects Minsk's short-term strategic thinking.

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.

Belarus
Loyal lieutenant Nikolai Karpenkov prepares for post-Lukashenko

Acting on persistent rumours of President Alexander Lukashenko's possible replacement, his faithful security chief and deputy interior minister colonel Karpenkov has been rallying his network of journalists and experts to broadcast messages of support for the leader and preferred succession scenarios.

Spotlight | Ukraine
Ukrainian and Western intelligence services consider options for collaboration on vetting foreign combatants

Informal consultations are currently underway between the SBU, Interpol and various Western intelligence services that could lead to new standardised procedures for sharing data on individuals wanted in their countries of origin.

Russia, United Kingdom
London leak at heart of Russian prosecutor's plan to capture FESCO assets

A Russian court has used a London Court of International Arbitration decision to justify confiscating the assets of shipping giant FESCO, amid a four-year battle between its shareholders Ziyavudin Magomedov and Mikhail Rabinovich. The Russian prosecutor was not forthcoming about how he got his hands on the normally confidential ruling.

Uzbekistan
State veteran Zelimkhan Haydarov still holds sway in Tashkent power games

The senior official has held critical roles in Uzbekistan's successive administrations. Now, members of Haydarov's first circle are being appointed to key infrastructure positions, where they are gradually replacing former heavyweights under investigation from the SGB.

The Intelligence Gazette
Syrian Kurds at French National Assembly, Kyrgyz diplomacy, Ukrainian BEB, US farm security

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

France/SyriaYPG representatives at the French National Assembly

UkraineEconomic security office headless

KyrgyzstanEx-spymaster on the rise in diplomatic corps

USFood security as well as agricultural sovereignty

Georgia
Georgia tackles overhaul of anti-corruption regulations

To meet the US and EU's good governance standards, Georgia, in the midst of political turmoil, is trying to agree on de-oligarchisation and anti-corruption regulations similar to those adopted by Kyiv. Its intelligence community, also under scrutiny, is hoping to play a part.