7 Shocking Revelations About Russia's Influence in Ireland

1. Who Was Recruited by Russia?

Russia recruited an Irish politician to act as a propaganda agent and to exploit Brexit-related tensions between Ireland and the UK. The politician, who has not been publicly named due to Ireland's lenient libel laws, is still a member of Ireland's parliament.

2. How Was the Politician Recruited?

The politician was recruited through a 'honeytrap' operation, where Russian intelligence gathered compromising sexual materials to lure him into compromising situations. This tactic was used by a female Russian agent who visited Dublin periodically and established a romantic relationship with the politician.

3. What Was the Purpose of the Recruitment?

The primary goal of recruiting the Irish politician was to exploit Brexit tensions and undermine relationships between the UK, Ireland, and the European Union. This was part of a broader strategy by Russia to distort public opinion and influence political dynamics in Ireland.

4. Who Was Behind the Recruitment?

Sergey Prokopiev, a colonel in the GRU Russian military intelligence, was identified as the operative responsible for recruiting the Irish politician. Prokopiev worked undercover as a counselor at the Russian embassy in Dublin and was one of four Russian diplomats expelled from Ireland in 2022 for espionage activities.

5. What Actions Did the Politician Take?

The Irish politician engaged in meetings with Prokopiev and other Russian agents, which were monitored by security services. Although he did not receive payment from Russian sources, he continued to maintain connections with Kremlin agents, which raised suspicions about his activities.

6. How Did Irish Authorities Respond?

Irish authorities formally warned the politician about being targeted by Russian intelligence, but he dismissed these concerns. Security services believe he was used as an asset to disrupt public debate or air the Kremlin's views when prompted. The politician remains a person of interest to Irish police intelligence and military intelligence.

7. What Is the Current Situation?

The Irish politician has not been arrested or charged with espionage because he did not disclose any classified information. However, his continued presence in parliament raises concerns about potential influence and the need for vigilance against foreign interference in Irish politics.