A sophisticated Russian spy ring operating from the UK has been dismantled following the conviction of three Bulgarian nationals Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, and Tihomir Ivanchev at London’s Old Bailey on March 7, 2025. The trio was found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage on behalf of Russia between 2020 and 2023, targeting journalists, dissidents, diplomats, and Ukrainian soldiers across Europe.
The operation was orchestrated by Orlin Roussev, a 47-year-old Bulgarian with a background in signals intelligence. Operating from a 33-room guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Roussev managed a team that included Ivanova, Gaberova, and Ivanchev, as well as Biser Dzhambazov and Ivan Stoyanov, who had previously pleaded guilty to espionage charges. The group utilized advanced surveillance equipment, including covert recording devices and sophisticated communication interception tools, to gather intelligence for the Russian state.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the spy ring conducted surveillance on investigative journalists such as Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov, both known for their work exposing Kremlin activities. The group also monitored a U.S. military base in Germany, aiming to intercept communications of Ukrainian soldiers training there. Their activities extended to plotting kidnappings and disinformation campaigns, highlighting the extensive reach of their operations.
The convicted individuals led seemingly ordinary lives in the UK: Ivanova was a laboratory assistant, Gaberova owned a beauty salon specializing in eyelash treatments, and Ivanchev worked as a painter and decorator. However, their involvement in espionage underscores the evolving nature of intelligence operations, with state actors increasingly outsourcing activities to criminal proxies.
Jan Marsalek, the former COO of the German payments company Wirecard and now a fugitive, was identified as the intermediary between Roussev’s team and the Russian intelligence services. Marsalek, believed to be residing in Russia, directed the group’s operations, exemplifying the outsourcing trend in modern espionage.
The convictions have raised concerns about national security and the methods employed by foreign intelligence services. Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by such espionage activities, noting the increasing involvement of criminal proxies by states like Russia.
Ivanova, Gaberova, and Ivanchev each face potential prison sentences of up to 14 years, with sentencing scheduled between May 7 and May 12. These convictions serve as a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threats posed by state-sponsored espionage within the UK and across Europe
