Russian counter-intelligence chief Alexander Bortnikov, known for his vigilance, recently expressed concerns about potential threats from what he perceives as real-life James Bonds and SAS sabotage squads. Bortnikov, a senior FSB official at 73 years old, pointed fingers at Britain, alleging their involvement in various security challenges he faces.
During a session in Uzbekistan, Bortnikov cautioned that the British influence extended to the Kyiv regime and EU, with intentions to strategically defeat Russia and potentially destabilize Vladimir Putin’s administration. He highlighted FSB intelligence reports indicating British special services’ involvement in acts of terrorism and sabotage within Russian borders, including plans for incursions by Ukrainian groups and attacks on critical infrastructure.
Moreover, Bortnikov raised concerns about British supervision of operations involving drones, unmanned boats, combat divers, and elite units like the SAS against Russia. Allegations were made regarding Ukrainian call centers recruiting individuals for terrorist activities in Russia. Bortnikov also attributed blame to Britain for the lack of a peace agreement in Ukraine, portraying the UK government as a significant threat to the Kremlin.
Despite contrasting views linking Putin’s actions to the ongoing conflict, Bortnikov emphasized British provocations and disinformation as factors disrupting Ukrainian settlement efforts. Notably, he associated British involvement with a June drone strike operation on Russian strategic bombers and subsequent media manipulation to amplify the perceived damage caused.
In a broader context, Bortnikov highlighted NATO intelligence services’ role in creating global instability, particularly in regions like the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. He accused Britain of fueling fears of an Eastward threat, emphasizing the Cold War mentality prevalent in contemporary geopolitical dynamics. Bortnikov, a seasoned intelligence officer, has led the FSB since 2008 and remains a staunch Putin loyalist, reflecting a longstanding career within Russian intelligence agencies.
