Australia expels ‘hive’ of Russian spies in espionage purge

A Russian "hive" of spies posing as diplomats has been expelled from Australia in recent months after the country's security forces revealed a counter-espionage success.

The spy ring was made up of supposed embassy and consular staff as well as other operatives using deep-cover identities, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing unnamed sources.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation revealed on Tuesday (February 22) that it had “detected and disrupted a major spy network", amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, without naming the country responsible.

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ASIO’s secretary general of security Mike Burgess described the network as a “hive” of spies because it was bigger and more dangerous than a “nest” of operatives previously disrupted, although precise numbers have not been reported.

He said in ASIO's annual report “Proxies and agents were recruited as part of a wider network. Among other malicious activities, they wanted to steal sensitive information.

“It was obvious to us that the spies were highly trained because they used sophisticated tradecraft to disguise their activities," adding that ASIO “removed them from this country, privately and professionally".

The South China Morning Post reported that the Russian spies were quietly forced out of Australia over the past six months with their visas not renewed or cancelled.

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There were concerns that publicly expelling the spies could lead to retaliation against diplomats and other Australians living in Russia.

Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister said: "I would not say whether the spy network that ASIO had disrupted was Russian.

“I don’t comment on national security briefings, but I just say that ASIO do a very good job in defending Australia’s national interest and they have my absolute confidence and support in doing that job."

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