#NATO headquarters, EU Commission and centre of important lobbying organisations. Brussels is a strategically important target for Russian espionage. But Moscow's embassy and two cultural facilities have another mission 1/7
The Russian Embassy in the Uccle district in Brussels is large. There are many buildings on the premises. The roof of a residential building and the main building are particularly eye-catching. 17 satellite dishes (red), different antennas (green) and 5 #sigint sheds (yellow) 2/7
The multi-storey residential building in particular stands out with its spy technology. Both buildings on Bing Maps Birdseye 3/7
As has already been observed on other Russian embassies in the EU: the satellite dishes on the two buildings seem to be very flexible. Google Timelaps (03/2021) shows very precisely the different positions of the dishes 4/7
Western intelligence services see the Russian cultural institutions in Brussels as a kind of pack up for espionage. The technology on the roofs of the two facilities in 7, rue Lesbroussart and 21, rue du Méridien speak for themselves. Google Timelaps 04/2020 and 03/2021. 5/7
The Centre culturel et scientifique de Russie à Bruxelles is part of the Russian Foreign Ministry. It is considered a covert spy base. Both buildings on Bing Maps Birdseye 6/7
Belgium expelled 21 „diplomats“, including seven technicians. The Belgian intelligence services are well aware of the #sigint capacities on the embassy premises. They specifically wanted to weaken that by expelling the „Nerds“. More details 7/7👇 tijd.be/politiek-econo…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
#thread
Germany is an important spy target for Moscow. Russia also uses the country as a base for satellite espionage - the platform for this are diplomatic missions and a cultural centre. There are a few interesting details 1/12
Russian #SIGINT activities in Germany have increased significantly in the last decade. In the middle of Berlin, on the edge of the government district, surrounded by government administration buildings, lies the Russian Embassy 2/12
On the roof of the property you can see the classic HF "Cage dipole" as well as other receiving antennas bild.de/politik/inland… 3/12
Russian cultural institutions raise eyebrows in Western counterintelligence. Not without reason. They are seen as a gateway for #SVR#GRU and #FSB. The A.S. Pouchkine Cultural Centre 32, rue Goethe in Luxembourg is also suspected of espionage. A few interesting details 1/10
In an undated interview, former Rossotrudnichestvo official Tatiana Poloskova criticises the cultural institution's involvement with intelligence services. Poloskova is a political analyst and state advisor of the Russian Federation. She knows Putin's power apparatus 2/10
Tatiana Poloskova: "Everyone knows that they are from the #FSB. Of course, no one wants to say that, but in the host countries this label is firmly attached to them. I think this is not so much the result of propaganda as a mistake in our personnel policy“ 3/10
A square functional building on the outskirts of the old capital Bonn in West Germany. The #Stasi operated a #SIGINT base here, disguised as the GDR's diplomatic permanent representation in Bonn 1/6
The full scale of GDR espionage in West Germany only became known after the fall of the Wall. An important #Stasi spy station was located in Bonn at Godesberger Allee 18. The "Ständige Vertretung" (StäV) of the GDR - a kind of embassy. Active 1974 to 1990. Code name "Park" 2/6
By order of the GDR, the building was increased by one floor (3 to 4). For good reason. State-of-the-art listening technology was set up there. Code name "STEUERUNG 1“ In a specially secured area, more than 30 receivers and corresponding recording equipment were installed 3/6
The @tageblatt_lu has a story about a plane crash 40 years ago in Luxembourg. One important detail is missing: the interest Western intel services in the wreckage of the Aeroflot Flight 343. 1/7 tageblatt.lu/headlines/sieb…
7 passengers die in Luxembourg on 29 September 1982 when an Aeroflot IL-62M aircraft fails to land. The plane from Moscow was en route to Ireland, Cuba, Nicaragua and Peru via Luxembourg. In the luggage of the plane there is a lot of diplomatic pouches for the destinations 2/7
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) - Article 27 states: "The diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained.“ So it's not no baggage, and it's untouchable. However, for intelligence services it is a treasure. And this treasure lies in the wreckage of the IL-62M 3/7
The French capital has been an important refuge for Russians for decades. Once again, Moscow has invested heavily in espionage know-how. Even the German counter-intelligence was confronted with it. A closer look 1/6
The largest Russian Orthodox cultural centre in Western Europe opened in Paris in October 2016. In November 2016, @LeTemps ran the headline: "In Paris, Russian espionage under domes“ 2/6 letemps.ch/monde/paris-le…
Excerpts: "There is talk of a Russian place with diplomatic immunity, located just a few hundred metres from the Quai d'Orsay and the Elysée Palace (...) German ambassador Meyer-Landrut, whose residence is nearby, had asked his counterintelligence services for checks" 3/6
A look into the enclave "Little Russia" Erzherzog Karl Straße in Donaustadt shows some interesting details. Since 1979, the compound has been seen as a centre of Soviet/Russian espionage 1/6
Of particular interest is the round building on the site. It is the tallest structure with an open all-round view. A perfect place for a covert #SIGINT collection point. Which it probably is. Current (2020) Google Earth images show 12 satellite dishes in various sizes 2/6
With Google Earth, you can start a time travel from 2003 to today. You can see a massive change on the roof of the building over the years. In May 2003 you can hardly see anything. In July 2006, two satellite dishes appear 3/6