Spionii GRU. Misiunile comerciale ale Rusiei, afaceri de familie

Russian commercial missions operate in over 50 countries, with a significant portion of staff being military intelligence officers. Recent changes have seen the replacement of these officers with friends and relatives of high-ranking officials. The dismissal of Andrei Plotnikov, a long-serving commercial representative in Austria, highlights this trend. His role, traditionally held by intelligence professionals, was officially attributed to the expiration of his contract. The decline in trade between Russia and Austria, dropping 74% in 2025, reflects the impact of these personnel changes. Other representatives, like Ivan Nalich in Algeria, have also been replaced, indicating a broader shift in Russia's diplomatic and commercial strategy.