Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces
The Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly known as GRU, is Russia's military intelligence service. It is subordinate to the General Staff and is responsible for strategic intelligence, signals intelligence, and covert operations abroad. The GRU operates alongside the SVR foreign intelligence service and is among the most secretive security agencies in Russia.
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Rome prosecutors expose Russian spy network at embassies in Italy and the Vatican
An investigation by the Rome prosecutor's office, published by the Italian newspaper Riformista, has exposed a network of Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover at Russia's embassies in Italy and the Vatican. Named suspects include GRU and SVR operatives tasked with espionage against NATO-linked targets, recruitment for sabotage, and monitoring of the Holy See's activities on Ukrainian children deported to Russia.