Counter-intelligence service BIS identifies Russia as Czechia's biggest security threat

The Czech counter-intelligence service BIS has named Russia Czechia's biggest security threat in its annual report, saying that the invasion of Ukraine confirmed the risks that BIS and intelligence services in other democratic countries had been warning of for years. The report said that Russian cyberespionage activities in Czechia decreased slightly last year, but that cyberattacks on Czech institutions and companies by Russian hacking groups increased.

BIS evaluated the expulsion last year of further Russian embassy staff from Czechia as a positive move, as many of these people were connected to Russian intelligence services and used their official positions and diplomatic protection to cover up their espionage activities. However, the intelligence agency warned that the risk of Russia carrying out hostile activities using non-diplomatic cover could increase as a result.