Spanish media shift: Russian 'journalist' unmasked as spy
The Russian spy Pavlo Rubtsov, operating under the Spanish pseudonym Pablo Gonzalez, was tasked with, among other things, surveilling American intelligence collaborators in Eastern Europe.
His responsibilities also included identifying potential candidates interested in working for the US services, as noted by the Madrid daily "El Mundo" on Tuesday, citing information obtained by Polish intelligence.
The Spanish newspaper highlights that Rubtsov, previously defended by the media as a so-called journalist, is now distinctly labelled as a "spy." "This alters the previous narrative in the Spanish media, which had repeatedly defended the alleged freelance journalist," reports "El Mundo."
The newspaper also unveils materials compiled by Polish intelligence on Rubtsov, including a 2019 document used in the investigation against him. The daily states: "He reported to the GRU (Russian military intelligence - PAP) about Americans and prepared informational materials regarding them."
Rubtsov monitored and collected data
According to "El Mundo," Rubtsov also prepared profiles of individuals linked with American intelligence services. As part of these activities, he was involved in a summer journalism school in Prague organized by the Boris Nemtsov Foundation, where he formed connections with people from the organization's leadership. Additionally, investigation files indicate Rubtsov established a "sentimental relationship" with Zhanna Nemtsova, the daughter of the slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
One individual survelled by Rubtsov was Justin Tomczyk, a participant in the aforesaid summer school. "El Mundo" states that Rubtsov considered him a "good candidate for American intelligence services."
Rubtsov also gathered information about key infrastructure in Poland. He relayed data to Russia, including details about military exercises in the Lviv area, during at least three instances, "El Mundo" reports.
In August this year, the Russian was transferred to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange conducted between Western countries and Russia in Ankara. A day after this operation, articles surfaced in the Spanish media suggesting Rubtsov's lawyers claimed his innocence. However, the Spanish media rarely discussed his cooperation with the GRU, which now seems to be changing.
