Former Taxi Driver at Heart of Russia's Covert War

Russian intelligence services have intensified a campaign of sabotage against Ukraine's European allies, with individuals like Aleksei Kolosovsky playing central roles. Kolosovsky, a 42-year-old former taxi driver, utilizes his criminal network for planning and executing operations in various European countries, including Poland, Lithuania, and the UK. Western security officials describe him as a service provider rather than a conventional intelligence operative, leveraging his resources to aid Russian military intelligence initiatives. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, traditional intelligence officers find it increasingly difficult to operate in Europe, necessitating reliance on individuals like Kolosovsky. The recent attacks have drawn attention to the escalating aggressiveness of Russia's covert operations.