Russia continues to be the biggest threat to the security of the Czech Republic, according to the latest report by the Security Information Service (BIS). In its 2023 report, BIS highlights that Moscow is actively advancing espionage activities, cyberattacks, and hybrid warfare methods, focusing on destabilizing the Czech Republic and other Western democracies.
“2023 was an extremely challenging year for security and very turbulent in many respects. Unfortunately, Russia’s unacceptable brutal aggression against Ukraine continued, to which the democratic and free world responded by supporting the defending country. As in previous years, Russia remained the biggest threat to the security of our country, as well as to all of Europe and the world,” said BIS Director Michal Koudelka.
According to BIS Director, “Russia’s efforts to rewrite the geopolitical map of the world and establish a ‘new world order’ are currently the greatest threat and challenge to the global community.” However, these ambitions extend far beyond conventional military operations, as Russia is actively employing hybrid warfare tactics against countries it perceives as adversaries.
This is particularly true for the Czech Republic, which, despite its small size, plays a crucial role in NATO and the European Union’s security architecture. Russia uses espionage networks, disinformation campaigns, and cyber threats. As noted in the BIS report, Russia conducts hybrid attacks not only against the Czech Republic but also against other Western democracies, often leveraging modern technologies to undermine stability, democracy, and freedom.
“Russia’s efforts to polarize the public, spread disinformation, or carry out subversive activities pose a serious security risk that the Czech Republic will have to face in the foreseeable future,” the BIS report states. The Kremlin uses social media platforms and communication apps to manage its agent recruitment operations, allowing Russian intelligence to influence political discourse and undermine support for Ukraine in the war.
One notable success of European counterintelligence was the BIS exposure, in cooperation with other European intelligence services, of the operations of Radio “Voice of Europe.” Russia’s attempt to influence not only public opinion but directly the European Parliament elections was a blatant interference in the sovereignty of European states. The action against this intelligence platform was considered a “major success for BIS,” but Russia continues similar operations across Europe.
In recent years, Moscow has intensified its efforts to restore espionage activities under diplomatic cover. Following a significant reduction in the Russian diplomatic presence in the Czech Republic in 2021 and 2022, Russia is using long-term diplomatic accreditations and short-term visas to carry out intelligence operations. According to BIS, the risk of Czech citizens visiting Russia becoming targets for recruitment by Russian intelligence has increased. They may be used for espionage against the Czech Republic.
Cyber espionage also remains a significant threat. Russia, finding itself in international isolation following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has stepped up its activity in cyberspace. “Cyber espionage has become a crucial tool for gathering information,” BIS notes. After a temporary lull in cyberattacks in 2022, the activity of Russian actors increased again last year, particularly in attacks on Czech government structures and critical infrastructure, including the railway network.
BIS also reports on Russia’s efforts to conduct influence operations directly from Russia or through friendly or neutral countries. Additionally, Russian intelligence uses communication apps, particularly Telegram, to recruit and manage collaborators. Kremlin actions aim to disrupt the provision of aid to Ukraine and undermine the Czech Republic’s critical infrastructure. According to BIS, the risk of Russian intelligence sending “traveling officers” or collaborators to Czech territory is very high.
Under international sanctions, Russia continues to seek access to Western technologies necessary for its military industry. Counterintelligence mentions Russia’s ongoing efforts to circumvent sanctions through third countries for goods that could be used in the military sector. For example, certain weapons systems and drones critical to the conflict in Ukraine rely on components from the West.
“In 2023, Czech companies received repeated requests for aircraft parts from risky entities previously involved in opaque exports to Russia,” the report states.
At the beginning of the year, several machines that could be used in the military industry were exported. “Their declared destination was Kyrgyzstan. However, the machines were not delivered to this destination; they were rerouted to Turkey and then to Russia,” the report states.
Russia’s actions continue to pose a significant threat to the Czech Republic and its allies. The combination of hybrid warfare tactics, espionage, cyberattacks, and sanctions evasion indicates that Moscow is actively employing all available means to achieve its goals.
As BIS Director Michal Koudelka points out, “Russia will remain the biggest threat to the security of the Czech Republic in the foreseeable future,” and this requires constant attention and strengthening of counterintelligence measures, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and combating disinformation.
