Ukraine's covert overseas operations expand, raising political risks for Kyiv
Executive summary: Ukraine has significantly expanded its covert intelligence and special‑operations missions outside its borders since the beginning of the Russia‑Ukraine war. These clandestine efforts could provoke diplomatic pushback, trigger retaliatory actions against Ukrainian interests, and complicate Ukraine’s relationships with Western allies.
Who is involved: The Ukrainian government, particularly its security services (SBU and military intelligence), foreign governments where operations occur, and potentially NATO partners overseeing intelligence coordination.
Likely next: Kyiv may face increased oversight requests from allied intelligence agencies, and any exposed operation could prompt formal investigations or sanctions discussions in EU and US forums.
Since the start of the war, Ukraine has markedly increased its clandestine activities abroad, according to Handelsblatt. The report notes that a portion of these operations carries substantial political risk for the Kyiv government. While the article does not detail specific missions, it highlights concerns over potential blowback and strained international partnerships.
Timeline
- — Ukraine-Krieg: Mysteriöse Anschläge im Ausland: Geraten Selenskyjs Geheimdienste außer Kontrolle? (Handelsblatt)
- — Ukraine: Aufschwung fernab der Front: Die ukrainische Provinz Transkarpatien boomt im Schatten des Krieges (Handelsblatt)
- — +++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: Ukraine greift Moskau mit 400 Drohnen an (Handelsblatt)
- — Ukraine-Krieg: Angriff mit Lenkbomben – Erneut Tote in Saporischschja (Handelsblatt)
Key entities
Sources
- Ukraine-Krieg: Mysteriöse Anschläge im Ausland: Geraten Selenskyjs Geheimdienste außer Kontrolle? — Handelsblatt
- Ukraine: Aufschwung fernab der Front: Die ukrainische Provinz Transkarpatien boomt im Schatten des Krieges — Handelsblatt
- +++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: Ukraine greift Moskau mit 400 Drohnen an — Handelsblatt
- Ukraine-Krieg: Angriff mit Lenkbomben – Erneut Tote in Saporischschja — Handelsblatt