Australia target for Russian spies because of advanced technology

Australia is a target for Russian spies because of the world-class technology hidden in the country, according to an espionage expert.

John Blaxland believes there is a ‘very high probability’ Vladimir Putin’s government has a strong interest in Australia with agents located in the country.

But the Russian ambassador to Australia has denied there are intelligence officers operating within his nation’s embassy.

Australia is a target for Russian spies because of its world-class technology, according to John Blaxland (pictured)

There is a 'very high probability' Vladimir Putin's government has a strong interest in Australia, he said

There is a ‘very high probability’ Vladimir Putin’s government has a strong interest in Australia, he said

In an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, Grigory Logvinov remained tight-lipped of Russian involvement as tensions on the world stage continue to grow.

Professor Blaxland, who is an intelligence and international security academic at the Australian National University, said it was ‘almost guaranteed’ there are spies in Australia.

He said: ‘There has been a long-standing issue about the perception of Australia not being a target for intelligence collection, for espionage.

‘Australia actually has world class technology that other people want to steal.’

Grigory Logvinov, the Russian ambassador to Australia, remained tight-lipped of Russian involvement as tensions on the world stage continue to grow

Grigory Logvinov, the Russian ambassador to Australia, remained tight-lipped of Russian involvement as tensions on the world stage continue to grow

He questioned the line often issued ruling out Australia as a place other countries want to collect intelligence from.

But Russia is refusing to be drawn on whether it has intelligence assets working out of its embassy in Canberra.

Mr Logvinov said: ‘No ambassador of any country would ever say this there are spies or intelligence officers in his embassy.’

But Russia is refusing to be drawn on whether it has intelligence assets working out of its embassy in Canberra

But Russia is refusing to be drawn on whether it has intelligence assets working out of its embassy in Canberra

The ambassador warned the world was moving towards a 'very dangerous brink' claiming nuclear conflict 'would not be Russia's choice'

The ambassador warned the world was moving towards a ‘very dangerous brink’ claiming nuclear conflict ‘would not be Russia’s choice’

But he agreed his statement did not imply there are definitely no spies at all.

The ambassador warned the world was moving towards a ‘very dangerous brink’ claiming nuclear conflict ‘would not be Russia’s choice’.

Mr Logvinov laughed off claims Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad was a mass murderer calling for more evidence to be presented, saying: ‘Oh my gosh. Mass murderer?’ 

Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad is known to be a close ally of the Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured)

Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad is known to be a close ally of the Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured)

Mr Logvinov also denied Russian involvement in the MH17 plane crash, which killed 298 people including 38 Australians

Mr Logvinov also denied Russian involvement in the MH17 plane crash, which killed 298 people including 38 Australians

Assad is known to be a close ally of the Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

Mr Logvinov also denied Russian involvement in the MH17 plane crash, which killed 298 people including 38 Australians.

He said he was sorry for the loss of life but described the victims as ‘muppets’ in a ‘dirty political game’.



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