Suspected Russian GRU Agent Viktor Labin Arrested in Belgium for Supplying Military Tech to Russia

Viktor Labin, a suspected operative of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, has been arrested in Belgium, and the subject of investigations by The Insider, outlet reported on February 19.

Belgian authorities apprehended Labin, who was accused of facilitating the export of coordinate-measuring machines critical to Russia’s defense sector.

The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed his arrest, and a court has scheduled the first hearing in his case for February 26, 2026. Labin’s arrest follows a police search of his premises in June 2025, after which he was placed in custody, The Insider wrote.

Labin had operated a business in Belgium with his sons, Roman and Ruslan. His company, Groupe d’Investissement Financier, was involved in supplying military equipment to Russian contractors, with the ultimate recipient being Sonatek LLC, a Moscow-based company tied to the Labin family. Sonatek supported at least 18 companies within Russia’s defense industry.

Read more

Category

World

Russia’s “Eyes and Ears”—and Hands. How the Kremlin Recruits Europeans for Its Hybrid Warfare Against the West

Jan 23, 2025 14:48

Labin is also linked to a registered address at the GRU academy in Moscow, suggesting his close ties to Russia’s military intelligence network, according to The Insider.

Earlier, Latvian authorities had detained at least three individuals in connection with the group calling itself the “Anti-Fascists of the Baltics,” which investigators said operated an informant network supplying Russian intelligence with sensitive information.

According to reports, the network had, for an extended period, passed on data about the movement of military equipment, Ukrainian nationals, and people expressing support for Ukraine.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW