This is the favorite destination in Europe for Russian and Chinese spies

Wars are usually fought on two fronts: there’s the clear, visible battlefield where soldiers fight and die and there’s the unseen battlefield, on everyday streets and the corridors of power. This is where spies typically move.

The Cold War might be over, but spies continue to do their duty in the shadows. Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, tensions have been all time-high between the Kremlin and the West.

Amid growing tensions, one European country has alerted that the number of possible Russian spies has been growing at a concerning rate.

French newspaper Le Monde writes that while most European countries have expelled dozens of Russian agents under diplomat cover, Switzerland has not followed through, and the Kremlin has taken advantage of this.

Switzerland has long held a tradition of neutrality, even during the most critical hours of World War 2.

However, as Bloomberg highlights, the Swiss government has been forced to follow suit along with other European nations in declaring sanctions against Moscow.

However, these actions haven’t extended into expelling diplomats, who continue to enjoy immunity. The Swiss government argues this is only done if they perceive a threat of internal security.

Among other things, the tiny Alpine nation is home of the European headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva.

Switzerland’s main intelligence agency, the Federal Intelligence Service, said that at least a third of the 220 Russian diplomats accredited in the country are suspected of being spies.

Bloomberg, citing local sources, argued that this would represent roughly one out of five Russian spies operating in Europe that are based in Switzerland.

Le Monde points out this is a usually high number of diplomats for a nation of roughly 8 million people, even if it has two capitals of international importance.

To put things in perspective, Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service only has a staff of 450 people, as reported by Al Jazeera. These new threats have overwhelmed them.

Pictured: Swiss Parliament in Bern.

However, Russia is hardly the only superpower to keep a vast network of spies in the alpine country.

AP News reported that it is believed that China also has a few dozen spies working in Switzerland as well.

In China’s case, they have significantly fewer agents than Russia and most of them are likely to be masquerading as scientists, journalists, and businesspeople instead of diplomats.

However, according to Al Jazeera, Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service believes that China’s intelligence operation in the country and Europe will grow stronger as the world becomes more divided.