Russian special services have intensified their shadow activity in Europe through the creation of a new secret unit - the Department of Special Tasks ( SES ) , which Western scouts have already dubbed “ KGB 2.0 ″ .
The existence of the SES was informed by the British tabloid The Sun , citing the information of intelligence services and safety experts . The SES began operating in 2023 in the midst of a full -scale war of Russia against Ukraine. His headquarters is located in the Aquarium- the building of the Main Directorate of Intelligence ( GRU) in Moscow. The SES combined the functions previously performed by the Federal Service ( FSB) and the Ovid 29155 and GRU department- a unit that is charged with the poisoning of Sergiy and Yulia Skripal in the United Kingdom in 2018 . The new structure includes veterans of the most risky and aggressive operations of Russia abroad . One of the most resonant episodes that associate with the SES was the unsuccessful attempt on the CEO of the German military giant Rheinmetall Armin Papperger. In addition, in March 2024 , The Wall Street Journal wrote about the installation of explosives on DHL aircraft this structure is also suspected The KGB 2.0 ″ management is carried out by Colonel Andriy Averyanov , a figure well known in the world spying environment, together with his deputy, General General Ivan Kasyanenko.
Professor of International Relations of the University of Ogasta Lenser Hunter explains that the SES is not just a new structure, but a hybrid of numerous agencies, collected in a single mechanism capable of hitting anywhere . " Their agents move quietly, strike powerful shocks and disappear without a trace," adds . Interestingly , the activity of the structure has declined sharply in recent months. Representatives of European intelligence suggest that this may be due to Moscow's desire to create diplomatic window for negotiations with the new administration .
Washington meanwhile , actively opposing - the United States has charged several participants in the SES and declared a reward of up to $ 10 million for information about five Russian agents involved in large -scale cyberattacks against Ukraine.
