Putin's Spies May Lose Their Safe Haven In Europe

• 27.10.2026, 12:23

Belgrade served as the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service's European base for a long time.

Following the crushing defeat of Aleksandar Vučić's political party in the parliamentary elections in Serbia, Russian intelligence in Europe will face a tough time. This was reported by H investigative journalist and founder of Bellingcat Hristo Grozev . According to him, Vučić was very favorable toward Russian spies and even issued them Serbian passports. The country has effectively become a European base for the SVR and other Russian intelligence agencies.

“One of the most serious consequences of the students’ victory in the Serbian elections will be that Russian intelligence will have to find a new haven for the hundreds of its spies who were in Serbia, enjoyed the support of Serbian intelligence agencies or even held passports issued by that country,” Grozev wrote.

He specifically highlighted the case of Alexander Vulin, who over the past ten years has held numerous ministerial posts in the Serbian government, including heading the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior. According to Grozev, this politician is extremely close to the Russian intelligence services.

“It is particularly interesting to see what fate awaits Alexander Vulin, who served as deputy prime minister until last year. In fact, he was a Russian intelligence officer stationed in Belgrade, frequently traveled with FSB operatives, and was awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin at the headquarters of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service,” the journalist noted.