Russia has formed a coordination center for its intelligence operations in Switzerland. At least a third of Russian diplomatic personnel in this country work for the Russian intelligence services.
Such data was announced by the spokeswoman for the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS), Sonia Margelist, Swiss Info reports.
She noted that intelligence has confirmed that the main threat now comes from Russia's intelligence services.
The scandal with the conversation of German officers overheard by the Russians is a clear proof that Russia has stepped up its intelligence work in Europe.
Many European countries have expelled a significant number of Russian spy diplomats, but Switzerland has refrained from taking a similar step. Nevertheless, countering Russian agents is one of the key areas of work of the Swiss intelligence services.
The number of Russian diplomats accredited in Switzerland has remained stable over the two years of war. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA), there are 218 Russians. The intelligence service estimates that at least one-third of the diplomatic staff in Switzerland works for the Russian special services, which is more than 70 people.
Former Head of the Swiss Intelligence Service Peter Regli believes that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as it is known that most Russian diplomats work for the intelligence services.
"The Federal Council (Swiss government) could do much more to counter Russia's espionage activities in Switzerland. But the government prefers to stick to the outdated concept of neutrality. Meanwhile, those who stick to neutrality today are on the side of the aggressor," the former official said.
Earlier, Swiss intelligence found that a fifth of all Russian intelligence officers stationed in Europe are concentrated in this country - more than 80 agents.
As "Apostrophe" reported earlier Bundestag MP's assistant turned out to be FSB agent.