Two Bulgarian nationals, Vanya Gaberova and Ivan Stoyanov, have been deported from the UK after serving half their prison sentences for their involvement in a Russian spy ring operating out of Great Yarmouth.
The six-member cell was convicted of conducting an industrial-scale espionage operation targeting journalists, critics of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, and monitoring Ukrainian troops training on British soil.
Prosecutors revealed that the group carried out surveillance activities across the UK and Europe, including locations such as London, Valencia, Montenegro, and Stuttgart. Their operations included monitoring a US military base in Germany believed to be training Ukrainian soldiers on Patriot missile systems.
The spies used covert tools such as hidden cameras disguised as rocks, ties, and children’s toys. Gaberova and another female operative were described within the cell as “killer sexy brunettes” and acted as “honeytrap” agents to lure their targets.
Gaberova was sentenced to six years, eight months, and three weeks in prison, while Stoyanov, a former cage fighter nicknamed “The Rock,” received a sentence of five years and three weeks.
The spy ring was masterminded by Orlin Roussev, who operated from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth. The group was linked to fugitive businessman Jan Marsalek, wanted by Interpol for collaborating with Russia’s GRU and FSB intelligence agencies. The network also supplied Russia with drones, laptops, and equipment designed to evade sanctions.
Investigations uncovered a complex internal love triangle within the cell involving Gaberova and fellow operatives Biser Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova. Dzhambazov infamously faked a brain tumour to conceal his affair with Gaberova and was arrested in compromising circumstances.
A UK Government spokesperson stated that removing foreign national offenders remains a priority, noting that over 9,800 deportations have taken place since July 2024. The Sentencing Act has introduced tougher penalties for national security offences following this case.
Investigative journalist Christo Grozev, who was a target of the spy ring, criticised the lack of communication regarding the release of Gaberova and Stoyanov, saying: “I wish someone had bothered to inform the targets.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
