Russian Spies Go For The Money

June 19, 2008:  A manager at Eurocopter recently received a suspended sentence after admitting he spied for Russian intelligence (SVR) between 2004-6. He received $20,000 from the Russians, and supplied them with unclassified documents. He received such lenient treatment because he cooperated with police, and that led to several other arrests, and severe damage to Russian spying operations in Germany.

Russia has earned considerable criticism throughout Europe because of its increased espionage activities. Most of the Russian spying these days is in search of new technology, either military or civilian. During the Cold War, the Russians also sought military secrets, which are not seen as worth much to the Russians these days.