Drones and Arms Deals: Jan Marsalek and the Russian Spy Ring
Marsalek Discusssed Arms Deals with Russia, According to Conversation with Spy Regarding Weapons.
Get the latest on the UK's trial of a Russian spy network, with fugitive Jan Marsalek at the center. Court records suggest he discussed weapon deals, including drones for Ukraine, with the network's leader.
Intriguing Insight: The conversations between Marsalek and Roussev, according to court documents, also covered the acquisition of advanced Western military technology through reverse-engineering NATO/American weapons captured in Ukraine, as per Roussev's contacts in China [1].
The former Wirecard executive, Jan Marsalek, is said to have held discussions with a Russian spy ring operative, Orlin Roussev, about weapons deals and other business ventures, such as the acquisition of drones for the war in Ukraine [1]. Roussev is the head of a network of six Bulgarians facing up to 14 years in prison in the UK for espionage activities [2][3][4].
Apart from the drone deal, Marsalek and Roussev also discussed delivering weapons to regions like Cameroon, coupled with trade in goods, such as wheat and Russia's Sputnik V vaccine [1]. Marsalek even boasted about being able to organize almost anything, including mercenaries for conflicts like Boko Haram’s fight in Africa [1].
The espionage network, led by Roussev, was primarily financially motivated and did not work directly for Russian intelligence. However, they frequently mentioned the Russian military intelligence service GRU and other security services in their communications with Marsalek [1][2][4].
The investigation into this espionage network led to the convictions of six Bulgarians in the UK. The trial is ongoing, with evidence derived from intercepted messages between Marsalek and Roussev being presented in London courts [2][3][4]. Marsalek, who is believed to be in Russia, remains a fugitive, with his lawyer declining to comment on the allegations [1][2].
Additional Info: Marsalek was the leading figure of financial services provider Wirecard, which collapsed in 2020. He is also under investigation by the Munich public prosecutor's office on suspicion of fraud and has an international arrest warrant issued for him [1].
- Wirecard
- Espionage
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- Trials
- Intelligence Services
- Attack on Ukraine
[1] ntv.de[2] jpe/rts[3] Reuters[4] The Guardian
- The former Wirecard executive, Jan Marsalek, is being tried in the UK for his alleged involvement in espionage activities, with the focus on his discussions with a Russian spy ring operative regarding weapons deals, including drones for Ukraine.
- The trial in the United Kingdom has uncovered communications between Marsalek and an operative, Orlin Roussev, that suggest the acquisition of advanced Western military technology through reverse-engineering NATO/American weapons captured in Ukraine was also under consideration.
- Despite not working directly for Russian intelligence, the espionage network led by Roussev frequently mentioned the Russian military intelligence service GRU and other security services in their communications with Marsalek.
- The Russian spy ring, of which Roussev is the head, is financially motivated and is currently facing up to 14 years in prison in the UK for espionage activities.
- Marsalek, currently a fugitive believed to be in Russia, is also under investigation by the Munich public prosecutor's office on suspicion of fraud and has an international arrest warrant issued for him in relation to his work at Wirecard, a financial services provider that collapsed in 2020.
