Russian spies try to sneak into Europe. One arrived with Estonian residence permit and cover story about healthcare

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), acting on a proposal from the Estonian Security Police, expelled a Russian citizen. He had contacts with Russian intelligence services, according to ERR. 

Connections to Kremlin intelligence and national security threat

The Estonian Security Police reports that Kirill Kudryavtsev was expelled from Estonia to prevent and neutralize a threat to national security. Additionally, he was banned from entering the Schengen area to protect European security.

Kudryavtsev had arrived in Estonia last week to accompany a family member applying for benefits from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

“Both Kudryavtsev and his close relative permanently reside in Russia and hold Estonian residence permits,” the police notes, without providing further details.

Blimps, artillery, and spies against Estonia

Earlier, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires over a Russian fighter jet's violation of Estonian airspace.

The Central Intelligence Department has recently reported that Russia has begun monitoring Estonia’s energy facilities using blimps to collect information without directly violating NATO airspace.

Estonian intelligence also reveals that Russia has increased artillery shell production more than 17-fold and is preparing for potential new conflicts, despite its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The US intelligence assessments say that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to seize all of Ukraine and ultimately restore control over parts of Europe that once belonged to the Soviet empire. 

 The findings reportedly concern territories of former Soviet bloc countries.