European intelligence agencies overhaul operations to counter Russia

European intelligence services are undergoing significant transformations and overhauls in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Several nations are intensifying their espionage and counter-intelligence operations to address perceived threats from Moscow.

Sweden has announced the creation of a new foreign intelligence agency, Utrikesunderrättelsetjänsten (UND), which is scheduled to begin operations in January. This new service will assume specific foreign intelligence and covert responsibilities from the existing Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) following previous intelligence failures.

Other regional shifts include Germany increasing its offensive intelligence efforts, Poland placing a higher emphasis on counter-intelligence and Russian hybrid warfare, and Estonia focusing on Russian sabotage and intelligence activities. In France, the DGSE has also undergone restructuring to improve its predictive capabilities regarding regional security threats.