Russian spies ‘are helping gangs smuggle illegal migrants into Europe’

Russian spies are helping people-smuggling gangs bring migrants into Europe, the Bulgarian interior minister has claimed. 

Daniel Mitov, the country’s home secretary, said his government had evidence of direct links between Russia‘s foreign intelligence agency and the criminal operations.

He claimed agents are locating for smugglers weaknesses in EU borders, including that between Bulgaria and Turkey. 

They are also advising migrants, he suggested, on how to exploit national asylum systems and avoid deportation. 

The politician told the Times: ‘Illegal migration inflows are an instrument for hostile regimes to destabilise the European Union and the United Kingdom.’ 

He claimed this disruption is characterised by intakes putting pressure on welfare systems and creating security issues from any ‘radicalised’ individuals among them. 

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper agreed, saying it was not just driven by gangs ‘seeking to make a profit’ – but ‘by hostile state actors seeking to destabilise Europe’. 

‘That threat is real, growing and very serious and I have made clear that we need to expand and strengthen our international cooperation to tackle it together,’ she continued.

Ms Cooper reaffirmed her support for Bulgaria and other Nato allies in securing European borders, tackling smugglers and fending off threats from the Kremlin. 

This would be done by providing specialist equipment, intelligence and training, she said.

Bulgaria will be among the European nations to attend a summit on illegal migration hosted in London by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday.  

Leaders will discuss plans to stem illegal migration through the Western Balkans, which is one of the main passages into the EU. 

The PM also hopes to progress talks with leaders on ‘return hubs’ in the region.

They would take asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected by the UK in exchange for intelligence and money. 

The UK has so far approached Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina and some non-European nations about the proposals. 

Bulgaria became part of the Schengen area in January, the group of 29 EU countries which have removed internal border controls to allow freedom of movement. 

It led to the country’s 161-mile border with Turkey becoming part of the external boundary of the union. 

The development has meant, according to Mr Mitov, Bulgaria is now ‘the gateway to Europe’ and needs further external reinforcement. 

The interior minister also made the controversial suggestion some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are working with smugglers. 

He dubbed such humanitarian bodies ‘neo-Marxist groups’ operating under ideological pretexts. 

The politician claimed their assistance of migrants was ‘maybe unwittingly’ facilitating people smugglers and the hostile states he said are assisting them. 

Among the accused groups are Mission Wings, a Bulgarian children’s charity, and No Name Kitchen, which ‘defends freedom of movement’ in the Balkans and elsewhere. 

Several individuals are currently being investigated. 

Mr Mitov warned anyone thinking of volunteering at the Bulgaria-Turkey border they faced jail and fines if they helped migrants cross the border illegally.  

Mission Wings denied involvement in people smuggling: ‘Neither our organisation nor its staff have ever participated in rescue operations involving migrants or refugees at Bulgaria’s borders. 

‘Whenever we have received signals concerning migrants in distress, we have immediately alerted the Ministry of Interior and the national emergency number 112, and have co-operated fully with the competent authorities.

‘To accuse us of co-operation with criminal smuggling networks is absurd and offensive. 

‘We have consistently and publicly opposed irregular border crossing, which constitutes a crime and poses serious risks.’

No Name Kitchen also rejected any such ‘baseless’ allegations, emphasising its status as an EU-registered humanitarian group. 

‘For nearly a decade, we have worked in full compliance with domestic and international law,’ it said.

‘As stated by the European Commission to the Bulgarian authorities, humanitarian assistance is not a crime and never has been. 

‘We remain committed to lawful action and protecting human rights at Europe’s borders.’  

The claims follow the deportation of 16 people from the UK to France this week under the countries’ one-in, one-out deal. 

This takes the number removed from Britain under the treaty agreed on by Sir Keir and French president Emmanuel Macron this summer has to 42.

It is understood some 23 migrants have arrived in the UK from France under the scheme. 

Since the deal came into effect on September 18, some 5,703 migrants have come to the UK across the Channel in 82 boats.  

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the UK’s latest deportation efforts as the ‘largest return flight under our historic deal with the French’.

She added: ‘And it sends a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back.’

More flights are expected to take place in the coming days and week.

The latest English Channel crossing figures meanwhile showed a total of 369 people made the perilous journey in seven boats on Saturday. 

This brings the total for the year so far to 36,734.

This is 82 short of the total for the whole of 2024, which was 36,816. 

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘Returning a handful of illegal immigrants when tens of thousands are crossing is laughable.’ 

The returns deal signed earlier this year is aimed at creating a disincentive for the Channel crossing.

Ms Mahmood met her counterparts from the Western Balkans in London on Wednesday, ahead of the prime minister’s gathering next week.

International policing efforts are attempting to crack down on smuggling gangs who have plotted trafficking routes through the region.