BBC Uncovers Two Female Spies in Russia’s European Espionage Network

On March 24, BBC journalists revealed the identities of two women involved in a Russian espionage network operating from the United Kingdom.

The investigation identified Bulgarian nationals Tsvetelina Gencheva and Tsvetanka Doncheva as active participants in extensive surveillance operations targeting individuals opposing Russian interests.

Gencheva worked in civil aviation and used her access to flight data to assist the espionage network. She was part of a team sent to Berlin to surveil journalist Roman Dobrokhotov and also gathered information on another target, Russian dissident Kirill Kachura. Her involvement was uncovered through social media and further confirmed by open-source research.

In Austria, Doncheva conducted surveillance on investigative journalist Christo Grozev and was linked to a propaganda campaign aimed at portraying Ukrainian supporters as neo-Nazis. Doncheva, who had been arrested by Austrian police in December 2024, is suspected of engaging in secret intelligence activities that harmed Austria’s security.

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According to the BBC, Gencheva, an airline employee, hung up when contacted, later stating in an email that she would not provide a comment. Doncheva denied being the person in question and left her home in Vienna when questioned.

In the UK, six other Bulgarian nationals are awaiting sentencing for their involvement in espionage activities connected to this network.

The British police have described the network as “highly organized” and dangerous. Three members of the group have pleaded guilty to working for Russia, while three others were found guilty in March following a trial at London’s Old Bailey.

The operations were managed by Austrian-born Jan Marsalek, who had worked in Germany before becoming a Russian intelligence agent. The network focused on journalists investigating Russian intelligence operations, with one of the targets, Roman Dobrokhotov, suggesting the orders came from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The BBC’s investigation revealed the two women involved in surveillance within Europe, later identified as Gencheva and Doncheva.

Both women’s activities are still under investigation, with Doncheva facing serious charges for espionage.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that diplomatic efforts with Russia must be supported by military force, sanctions, and pressure, following a Russian missile strike on Sumy on March 24 that injured at least 65 people.