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British prosecutors said on Monday that Russian spies living in Britain discussed selling captured American-made battlefield drones to Chinese military contacts.
In June 2022, 46-year-old Orin Rousseff told Jan Marsalek, Wirecard’s former chief operating officer, that their “Chinese friends… “They are asking me to sell them a U.S.-made switchblade drone that they captured in Ukraine.” London.
A switchblade is a small drone that explodes after hitting its target. In May 2022, the US Department of Defense delivered 700 aircraft to Ukraine.
The identities of the two Chinese contacts were not disclosed, but Rousseff said in a message that the request came from Chinese military personnel and that the drone was “gift-wrapped” and taken to the Chinese embassy. He said it could be delivered. The country where the embassy is located has not been disclosed.
“Based on Mr. Orlin Roussev’s statements, it appears that the Chinese are interested in material of Ukrainian origin,” said prosecutor Alison Morgan KC.
Rousseff pleaded guilty to espionage conspiracy in connection with a group of Bulgarians who allegedly spied for Russia. British prosecutors say Marsalek coordinated the group’s activities.
The latest allegations have come to light in the ongoing trial of two Bulgarians, Katrin Ivanova, 33, and Katrin Ivanova, 33. Vanya Gaberova, 30 years old. Tihomir Ivantyev, 39, is charged with conspiracy to commit espionage. Ivanova faces a new charge of possessing a false identity document for an unlawful purpose.
All three defendants deny the charges. Another member of the group, Bisel Dzhumbazov, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to spy.
Messages between Ms. Rousseff and Mr. Marsalek show that the alleged spy ring was monitoring journalist Kristo Grozev, who served as Bellingcat’s Russia investigator until 2023, and robbed, kidnapped, and murdered targets. The jury heard that it was exchanged during a discussion about whether or not.
Prosecutors said the two also discussed purchasing drones from Chinese officials for surveillance purposes.
Marsalek informed Rousseff in June 2022 that “the order for six drones will finally be approved tomorrow.” The message indicated “Payment in rubles (OK?) via wire transfer to a Chinese person.”
She also suggested using secret German spies to infiltrate the Munich-based World Uighur Congress, to which Rousseff said she would pass the request on to the “Beijing Bureau,” according to the message. .
The trial continues.
