European intelligence agencies have exposed and dismantled a spy network orchestrated by Belarus, marking a rare and dramatic success in the continent’s ongoing battle against foreign espionage. The operation, announced on September 8, 2025, was the result of a joint effort by the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania, and has sent ripples through the diplomatic and security communities across Europe.
According to statements from the Czech counterintelligence agency, known as BIS, the network was built by operatives from Belarus’ main security agency, the KGB. The spies had managed to infiltrate several European countries, exploiting diplomatic privileges and the relative ease of travel within the Schengen borderless area. The investigation, which is being supervised by the European Union’s judicial cooperation agency, Eurojust, uncovered not just the presence of Belarusian agents but also the involvement of a high-ranking Moldovan intelligence official.
In a move that underscored the seriousness of the breach, Czech authorities expelled a Belarusian agent who had been operating under the guise of a diplomat. The agent was given 72 hours to leave the country, as confirmed by the Czech Foreign Ministry. This rare public expulsion is a stark reminder of the ongoing shadow war between European authorities and foreign intelligence services.
The operation also led to the arrest of a 47-year-old former deputy head of Moldova’s intelligence service, the SIS. According to Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, the suspect is accused of handing over classified information to Belarusian intelligence officers between 2024 and 2025. DIICOT alleges that the Moldovan suspect met twice with Belarusian spies in Budapest, Hungary. During these meetings, there is “reasonable suspicion” that the parties exchanged instructions and payments for services rendered, actions that could “endanger national security.”
The Czech agency highlighted how Belarus was able to establish such a network. The key, according to BIS, was the freedom of movement enjoyed by Belarusian diplomats across Europe. “To successfully counter these hostile activities in Europe, we need to restrict the movement of accredited diplomats from Russia and Belarus within the Schengen (borderless) area,” said BIS head Michal Koudelka in a statement. This call for action is likely to spark debate among European policymakers, as it touches on the delicate balance between diplomatic norms and national security.
For years, European countries have relied on the Schengen agreement to facilitate the free movement of people, including diplomats. However, as this case demonstrates, those same freedoms can be exploited by hostile foreign actors. The Czech agency did not provide further details on the number of agents involved or the specific nature of the information compromised, but the implications are clear: European security agencies are facing increasingly sophisticated threats from state actors willing to use every tool at their disposal.
Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, has long been regarded as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The relationship between the two countries has grown even tighter since 2022, when Lukashenko allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Later, Belarus also permitted the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear missiles on its soil, further cementing its status as a strategic partner for the Kremlin.
The exposure of the spy network comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia, Belarus, and the European Union. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, European countries have ramped up efforts to counter Russian and Belarusian intelligence activities. The latest revelations provide a rare glimpse into the complex world of counterintelligence operations and the ongoing contest for influence and information on the continent.
Romania’s DIICOT described the actions of the arrested Moldovan as particularly dangerous, noting that the suspect’s disclosures could have “endangered national security.” The agency’s statement added that the Moldovan met with Belarusian operatives in Budapest, Hungary, a city that has long served as a hub for diplomatic and intelligence activity due to its central location and international connections. The meetings, which took place over the past two years, are believed to have involved the transfer of sensitive instructions and the exchange of payments.
The international investigation has been closely supervised by Eurojust, the European Union’s judicial cooperation agency. Eurojust’s involvement underscores the cross-border nature of the threat and the importance of international collaboration in addressing espionage. It also highlights the growing willingness of European authorities to confront foreign intelligence operations head-on, rather than allowing such incidents to be quietly resolved behind closed doors.
The revelations have prompted renewed calls from security officials for tighter controls on the movement of diplomats from Russia and Belarus. While diplomatic immunity and freedom of movement are cornerstones of international relations, the BIS chief’s statement reflects a growing consensus that these privileges may need to be re-examined in light of new security realities.
Belarus’ use of diplomatic cover for espionage is not new, but the scale and boldness of the recently exposed network have alarmed many in the intelligence community. The fact that a high-ranking Moldovan intelligence official was allegedly involved adds another layer of complexity, raising questions about the vulnerability of smaller European countries to infiltration and manipulation by larger, more aggressive states.
For European governments, the incident is a wake-up call. It serves as a reminder that the continent’s security cannot be taken for granted, and that hostile foreign actors are constantly probing for weaknesses. The case also illustrates the importance of international cooperation in countering such threats. Without the joint efforts of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and the oversight of Eurojust, the network might have continued to operate undetected, potentially compromising even more sensitive information.
As the investigation continues, European authorities are likely to face tough questions about how to balance openness and security, and how to prevent future abuses of diplomatic privileges. The answers will not come easily, but one thing is certain: the battle against foreign espionage in Europe is far from over, and vigilance will remain the order of the day.