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Ukraine’s SBU helped Czech BIS counterintelligence agency reveal pro-Russian MEP influence scheme

Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reportedly helped Czech counterintelligence to uncover a scheme where European politicians were paid to promote Russia’s interests in the EU.

byYuri Zoria

31/03/2024

2 minute read

Sculpture near the SBU’s central office in Kyiv featuring a Cossack attacking a dragon that is sitting in Ukraine’s east, unveiled in 2015. Photo: depo.ua

Ukraine’s SBU helped Czech BIS counterintelligence agency reveal pro-Russian MEP influence scheme

Czech and Ukrainian intelligence services have collaborated to uncover a pro-Russian network that paid Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to spread Kremlin propaganda, as reported by Ukrinform and Liga, referring to their security sources. Particularly, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) helped Czech counter-intelligence expose a pro-Russian network of influence, as per both news outlets.

Czech authorities uncovered a scheme involving the pro-Russian site Voice of Europe, spreading Kremlin propaganda and funding European candidates. The site exhibited oddities like strange translations and Cyrillic letters. Funds were allegedly transferred through cash handovers or cryptocurrency channels, overseen by Artem Marchevskyi, linked to Putin’s crony Viktor Medvedchuk.

The network, allegedly led by Viktor Medvedchuk aimed to influence the European Parliament elections and undermine Ukraine.

The network paid politicians to praise Russia and Putin in the European media and published anti-Ukrainian and anti-European materials on its website “Voice of Europe.” This revelation has led to demands from MEPs for a thorough investigation into Russian influence and punishment for those who received Russian money.

Czech counter-intelligence (BIS) reportedly released a report detailing the activities of the network on 27 March, which was reportedly based in Prague and headed by Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevskyi, a former producer for a pro-Russian TV channel 112 in Ukraine.

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