Investigation: Russia's Top Representative to the EU Accused of Espionage

Russia's top representative to the European Union is being accused of espionage activities.

An investigation by SPIEGEL reveals that Kirill Logvinov, the head of the Russian embassy to the EU, is allegedly working as an agent for Russia. European Union countries have previously expelled hundreds of diplomats for espionage in favor of Moscow, primarily involving lower-level embassy staff.

However, Kirill Logvinov, a 48-year-old diplomat accredited as a permanent representative of Russia, has been operating in Brussels since 2018. Since the last Russian ambassador to the EU left the position about a year ago, Logvinov has effectively become the de facto head of the representation.

According to journalists, Belgian security agencies suspect that Logvinov is working for the SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service. Belgium does not rule out the possibility that some other Russian employees of the representation may also secretly work against the interests of the European Union. Security sources declined to comment on the specifics of Logvinov's activities. They also refrained from providing direct comments about Logvinov in Belgium.

Suspicions against Logvinov emerged last year in the context of the activities of possible Russian agents. At that time, Logvinov was not yet the actual head of the Russian representation to the EU. Following the publication, the European Parliament initiated an investigation into potential connections between Logvinov and EU Commission employees.

The question of what to do with this Russian diplomat has reportedly been a concern for European diplomatic circles and intelligence agencies for some time. Belgian counterintelligence allegedly called for his expulsion, but the European External Action Service (EEAS) opposed it, possibly out of fear of repercussions for their diplomats in Russia.

Vice President of the European Parliament Martin Hoyseick expressed surprise that Logvinov had not yet been expelled, in response to the authors' inquiry into the investigation.

"If Belgian security structures indeed recommended expelling him, I am very curious why the EEAS did not do so," the official said.

The European External Action Service stated that they do not provide comments on specific individuals accredited as diplomats, but they continuously monitor the threat of espionage activity in close coordination with relevant structures.

Logvinov and the Russian representation to the EU have ignored inquiries from journalists.

The Logvinov case is a part of a broader investigation by the "Espiomats" journalists, dedicated to potential Russian spies in the EU operating under diplomatic cover.

In addition to SPIEGEL, this project involves the Belgian publication De Tijd, the Swedish Expressen, Estonian Delfi, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, Polish VSquare, Frontstory, founded by Russian emigrants, the "Center Dosie" and the Slovak ICJK.

It should be noted that, according to reports by journalists, Switzerland may host a significant portion of all Russian spies in Europe.