Ukrainian offensive in Kursk exposes Russian espionage saga
Ukraine has initiated an offensive in Russia's Kursk region. Reports from the media indicate that a Russian spy with Serbian origins was killed in early January during liberation efforts. Bratislav Živković was in Romania, where he photographed military radars on the Black Sea coast and provided their coordinates.
Romania's Digi24 reported that Bratislav Živković, a Serbian mercenary and alleged spy for the Russian army, was expelled from Romania in 2017 over suspected espionage activities for the Russian Federation. He was later killed in the Kursk region while serving with the Russian military.
Živković reportedly lost his life on January 2 at approximately 8:00 AM Eastern Time during fighting in the Kursk region. The Serbian national had been aligned with Russian forces in Ukraine since 2014. According to SRI spokesperson Ovidiu Marincea, between 2012 and 2014, he participated in the conflict in eastern Ukraine as a pro-Russian separatist.
Currently, a Ukrainian offensive is ongoing in the Kursk region of Russia, with operations beginning in multiple areas along the front. According to Ukrainian media, Russian troops were taken completely by surprise by the Ukrainians' actions.
He spied in Romania. He was expelled for 15 years
In 2017, the Bucharest Court of Appeals ordered Živković's expulsion from Romania on charges of espionage for Russia, designating him as "persona non grata" for 15 years.
The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) revealed that the Serb had photographed military radars on the Black Sea coast and provided their coordinates.
The SRI report indicated that he sought access to classified documents concerning critical infrastructure and military targets of national and allied significance in southeastern Romania, aiming to impact the country's strategic partnerships.
