A big revelation has come to light regarding Russia’s espionage activities amid the Ukraine war. According to a report in The New York Times, many Russian intelligence officers expelled from Europe and North America after the attack on Ukraine are now active in Japan. Their objective is to acquire such modern technology which Russia can use in making its missiles, drones and other weapons.
The report quoted current and former intelligence officials of Western countries as saying that after large-scale withdrawal from Western countries, it had become difficult for Russia to spy there. So he turned to Japan. Due to Japan’s modern technology and weak counter-intelligence, it has become an important target for Russia. Ukrainian officials claim that about 90% of Russia’s missiles and drones are using parts made in Japan. These parts are generally made for civilian use, but they can also be used in weapons. For this reason it is not easy to completely ban their sale.
Russian unit working in Tokyo
According to the report, a unit called the 20th Directorate of Russia’s military intelligence agency is working from Tokyo. Its agents, posing as businessmen or diplomats, contact Japanese companies and try to purchase such technology or goods, which can later be used in Russia’s military program.
The report also said that the head of this network was working as an employee of Russia’s government airline Aeroflot. Airlines have been used to hide the identities of intelligence officers since the days of the Soviet Union. Ukraine says it has provided documents and interviews to the Japanese government that show Japanese technology is being used in Russian weapons.
Japanese government is aware of the whole matter
According to the report, Japan has so far reacted slowly to this threat. However, the government says that it is fully aware of this matter and is strengthening its intelligence system. Besides, efforts are also being made in collaboration with Western countries to prevent technology for military use from reaching Russia.
Security experts have long been calling Japan a spy paradise, i.e. an easy place for spies, because there is no separate foreign intelligence agency there and it has been largely dependent on America’s intelligence information. Now Japan is changing this system. The country has passed a law to create National Intelligence Council and National Intelligence Bureau. Apart from this, there are preparations to bring a new anti-espionage law in 2026, so that foreign espionage can be tightened.
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