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Belarus KGB says it dismantled foreign spy ring that wiretapped pilots
MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – Counterintelligence has uncovered and dismantled an extensive, multifaceted network of foreign intelligence agencies that, with the assistance of certain individuals, operated in Belarus to wiretap civilian and military pilots, Chairman of the Belarusian KGB Ivan Tertel told reporters following his report to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA reports.
According to the KGB chairman, this year counterintelligence operatives discovered and eliminated a broad, multi-faceted network of foreign intelligence services that were active in Belarus with the aid of certain individuals. This activity involved installing technical devices to intercept communications between pilots of both civil and military aviation, as well as conducting surveillance around sensitive facilities. “Large-scale counterintelligence efforts have allowed us to eliminate these threats,” emphasized Ivan Tertel.
Discussing the KGB’s overall counterintelligence work, Ivan Tertel noted a significant increase in intelligence and subversive activities targeting Belarus. “For example, satellite constellations from Western countries, operated by intelligence agencies and armed forces, are monitoring the situation on our territory almost daily, conducting photographic and video surveillance,” he said. He stressed that surveillance extends not only to rail transport, logistics, and defense installations but also to major enterprises like MAZ and BelAZ.
“Radio-technical and electronic intelligence is being conducted very aggressively. We are essentially under electronic surveillance. During the Belarusian People’s Congress, the head of state noted that foreign intelligence services are eavesdropping on telephone conversations and penetrating certain information and communication networks. This is true. These activities have been exposed, and we are addressing them,” stated Ivan Tertel.
The KGB head assured that the president of Belarus is fully informed of the situation and is assigning corresponding tasks to the State Security Committee. “At present, we are seeing major attempts at terrorist transit across our territory. It exists, and the scale is large. We are intercepting these attempts and working proactively, we remain vigilant, because we understand that if the situation changes, these channels could be used within Belarus,” he concluded.
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