The Russian intelligence services have been enhancing their strategies to prevent potential defectors and eliminate those who have already defected and are living in exile, as stated in a recent report. The Wall Street Journal highlighted in a recent article that the number of unresolved deaths of the Kremlin's critics is growing, possibly exceeding 50 according to some sources.
Following the recent events in Ukraine since February 2022, Russian defectors and critics of Russia's actions have faced mysterious deaths in various locations worldwide, including India, France, and Spain. The most recent incident involved the assassination of Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine in August 2023, in Villajoyosa, Spain, described as a mafia-style killing by The Journal.
While many of these deaths cannot be directly linked to the Kremlin, the Russian government has intensified its efforts to combat defections through coordinated operations by the FSB, SVR, and GRU. These agencies have expanded their reach and tactics, making it challenging to pinpoint responsibility for anti-defector activities, according to The Journal.
Moreover, Russian anti-defector operations now involve third-country nationals who work on behalf of Russian intelligence without official ties to Russia or the countries where they operate. For instance, last August, British authorities arrested three Bulgarian citizens in connection with such operations.