'Two women who spied for Russia tracked down and named by BBC' diff viewer (1/2)

This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on March 24, 2025 18:12 (UTC). The next check for changes will be August 29, 2025 14:15

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx0v599wqvo

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 Next version

Previous version 1 2 Next version

Version 1	Version 2
Two women who spied for Russia tracked down and named by BBC	Two women who spied for Russia tracked down and named by BBC
2025-03-24 18:44:15 UTC	2025-03-25 11:04:19 UTC (about 16 hours later)
Cvetelina Gencheva (L) and Tsvetanka Doncheva (R)	Cvetelina Gencheva (L) and Tsvetanka Doncheva (R)
Two women who were part of a Russian spy network run from the UK are named for the first time today by a BBC investigation.	Two women who were part of a Russian spy network run from the UK are named for the first time today by a BBC investigation.
Bulgarian nationals Cvetelina Gencheva and Tsvetanka Doncheva took part in elaborate surveillance operations against people spied on by the cell.	Bulgarian nationals Cvetelina Gencheva and Tsvetanka Doncheva took part in elaborate surveillance operations against people spied on by the cell.
Neither woman answered questions when contacted by the BBC.	Neither woman answered questions when contacted by the BBC.
Ms Gencheva, an airport worker, hung up when contacted by phone, and said she did not want to comment on the case in response to a subsequent letter.	Ms Gencheva, an airport worker, hung up when contacted by phone, and said she did not want to comment on the case in response to a subsequent letter.
Ms Doncheva denied being herself and walked away when approached near her home in Vienna, Austria.	Ms Doncheva denied being herself and walked away when approached near her home in Vienna, Austria.
Six other Bulgarians are awaiting sentencing in London for their roles in spying for Russia as part of the cell.	Six other Bulgarians are awaiting sentencing in London for their roles in spying for Russia as part of the cell.
Police described the network as a "highly sophisticated" operation that threatened lives. Three pleaded guilty, admitting knowing they were working for Russia, while three more were convicted this month after a trial at the Old Bailey having failed to persuade the jury that they didn't.	Police described the network as a "highly sophisticated" operation that threatened lives. Three pleaded guilty, admitting knowing they were working for Russia, while three more were convicted this month after a trial at the Old Bailey having failed to persuade the jury that they didn't.
The cell was directed from abroad by Jan Marsalek, originally from Austria, who was a business executive in Germany who became a Russian intelligence asset. The cell's targets included journalists who have investigated Russian espionage. One, Roman Dobrokhotov, told the BBC he believed Vladimir Putin was ultimately responsible.	The cell was directed from abroad by Jan Marsalek, originally from Austria, who was a business executive in Germany who became a Russian intelligence asset. The cell's targets included journalists who have investigated Russian espionage. One, Roman Dobrokhotov, told the BBC he believed Vladimir Putin was ultimately responsible.
The court heard about two mystery women who took part in surveillance operations in Europe.	The court heard about two mystery women who took part in surveillance operations in Europe.
The BBC tracked down and confirmed the identities of both women through open source digital research and speaking to sources.	The BBC tracked down and confirmed the identities of both women through open source digital research and speaking to sources.
The mystery airport worker	The mystery airport worker
Cvetelina Gencheva	Cvetelina Gencheva
Ms Gencheva, who lives in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, exploited her work in the airline industry to obtain private flight details of people targeted by the cell.	Ms Gencheva, who lives in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, exploited her work in the airline industry to obtain private flight details of people targeted by the cell.
Spies followed the people onto planes and were booked in nearby seats, getting so close as to see what was being typed into their targets' mobiles phones, even at one stage identifying a Pin number for a phone belonging to journalist Roman Dobrokhotov.	Spies followed the people onto planes and were booked in nearby seats, getting so close as to see what was being typed into their targets' mobiles phones, even at one stage identifying a Pin number for a phone belonging to journalist Roman Dobrokhotov.
Ms Gencheva was part of a team sent to Berlin to spy on Mr Dobrokhotov, and she was a member of chat groups with three of those convicted of spying in the UK case - cell leader Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova - which were used to co-ordinate the spying.	Ms Gencheva was part of a team sent to Berlin to spy on Mr Dobrokhotov, and she was a member of chat groups with three of those convicted of spying in the UK case - cell leader Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova - which were used to co-ordinate the spying.
She provided flight details for journalist Christo Grozev, and was tasked with gathering as much travel information as possible on another target of the cell, Russian dissident Kirill Kachur.	She provided flight details for journalist Christo Grozev, and was tasked with gathering as much travel information as possible on another target of the cell, Russian dissident Kirill Kachur.
During the Old Bailey trial, the mystery airline worker was known as "Cvetka" or "Sveti".	During the Old Bailey trial, the mystery airline worker was known as "Cvetka" or "Sveti".
The BBC first identified Ms Gencheva through her social media profiles. On Facebook, she had interacted with Katrin Ivanova and Biser Dzhambazov.	The BBC first identified Ms Gencheva through her social media profiles. On Facebook, she had interacted with Katrin Ivanova and Biser Dzhambazov.
We then found she was an airline worker.	We then found she was an airline worker.
According to her Linkedin profile, she has held positions in ticket sales for travel companies. Bulgarian company filings say she is the sole owner of International Aviation Consult.	According to her Linkedin profile, she has held positions in ticket sales for travel companies. Bulgarian company filings say she is the sole owner of International Aviation Consult.
Screen captures of travel data found on a hard drive belonging to cell leader Roussev were from airline industry software known as "Amadeus".	Screen captures of travel data found on a hard drive belonging to cell leader Roussev were from airline industry software known as "Amadeus".
On her LinkedIn profile, we found Ms Gencheva noted her proficiency with the software.	On her LinkedIn profile, we found Ms Gencheva noted her proficiency with the software.
After the BBC's research identified Ms Gencheva, a source confirmed to the BBC that she is known to the Bulgarian security services as being connected to the spy network. She is not charged with any offence.	After the BBC's research identified Ms Gencheva, a source confirmed to the BBC that she is known to the Bulgarian security services as being connected to the spy network. She is not charged with any offence.
We contacted Ms Gencheva on a Bulgarian phone number she uses for real estate work. She hung up when informed the call was from BBC News and was being recorded, not even waiting for an explanation of what we were calling about.	We contacted Ms Gencheva on a Bulgarian phone number she uses for real estate work. She hung up when informed the call was from BBC News and was being recorded, not even waiting for an explanation of what we were calling about.
In response to a letter setting out the evidence relating to her, she said she did "not wish to comment on the case" and did not consent for her name to be used. Writing in Bulgarian, she claimed not to speak English well. However, her public LinkedIn profile lists her English ability as "full professional proficiency" and says she has studied in English to degree level.	In response to a letter setting out the evidence relating to her, she said she did "not wish to comment on the case" and did not consent for her name to be used. Writing in Bulgarian, she claimed not to speak English well. However, her public LinkedIn profile lists her English ability as "full professional proficiency" and says she has studied in English to degree level.
The woman in Vienna	The woman in Vienna
Tsvetanka Doncheva	Tsvetanka Doncheva
Ms Doncheva helped spy on the investigative journalist Christo Grozev in Vienna, occupying a flat opposite where he lived and operating a camera that took images of his home.	Ms Doncheva helped spy on the investigative journalist Christo Grozev in Vienna, occupying a flat opposite where he lived and operating a camera that took images of his home.
She was paid to conduct an anti-Ukraine propaganda campaign, which included putting stickers on locations including Vienna's Soviet war memorial and was intended to make supporters of Ukraine appear like neo-Nazis.	She was paid to conduct an anti-Ukraine propaganda campaign, which included putting stickers on locations including Vienna's Soviet war memorial and was intended to make supporters of Ukraine appear like neo-Nazis.
The BBC identified Ms Doncheva through her social media profiles after the Old Bailey trial heard about a "Tsveti" who had worked with the cell. Sources in Austria then confirmed her identity.	The BBC identified Ms Doncheva through her social media profiles after the Old Bailey trial heard about a "Tsveti" who had worked with the cell. Sources in Austria then confirmed her identity.
In Vienna, she met at least three of those convicted of spying in the UK case - Vanya Gaberova, Biser Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova.	In Vienna, she met at least three of those convicted of spying in the UK case - Vanya Gaberova, Biser Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova.
Senior Austrian officials, including the head of the Secret Service Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, were among those selected for surveillance by Ms Doncheva, alongside the Austrian investigative journalist Anna Thalhammer, who has written about Russian espionage.	Senior Austrian officials, including the head of the Secret Service Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, were among those selected for surveillance by Ms Doncheva, alongside the Austrian investigative journalist Anna Thalhammer, who has written about Russian espionage.
Ms Doncheva, who is unemployed, was arrested by Austrian police in December.	Ms Doncheva, who is unemployed, was arrested by Austrian police in December.
Court documents first reported by the Austrian magazines Profil and Falter, and later seen by the BBC, reveal she is "strongly suspected of having committed the crime of secret intelligence to the detriment of Austria".	Court documents first reported by the Austrian magazines Profil and Falter, and later seen by the BBC, reveal she is "strongly suspected of having committed the crime of secret intelligence to the detriment of Austria".
She told investigators she conducted surveillance after being asked by long-time friend Vanya Gaberova - one of the six Bulgarians awaiting sentencing. She said Gaberova provided her with a list of names, addresses and photographs.	She told investigators she conducted surveillance after being asked by long-time friend Vanya Gaberova - one of the six Bulgarians awaiting sentencing. She said Gaberova provided her with a list of names, addresses and photographs.
She initially told police she had been misled by the others, who first told her they were conducting a "student project" and later that they were working for Interpol. But Austrian investigators are recorded as saying it is "incomprehensible" that Ms Doncheva believed such "dubious stories".	She initially told police she had been misled by the others, who first told her they were conducting a "student project" and later that they were working for Interpol. But Austrian investigators are recorded as saying it is "incomprehensible" that Ms Doncheva believed such "dubious stories".
The documents say the intelligence cell in which Ms Doncheva operated was ultimately controlled by Jan Marsalek from Moscow on behalf of the Russian intelligence services and that evidence seized by investigators shows she was contracted by Marsalek and the UK cell leader Orlin Roussev.	The documents say the intelligence cell in which Ms Doncheva operated was ultimately controlled by Jan Marsalek from Moscow on behalf of the Russian intelligence services and that evidence seized by investigators shows she was contracted by Marsalek and the UK cell leader Orlin Roussev.