An investigation by The Insider revealed that a couple, Nikolay and Elena Saposnikov, ran a hotel in northern Greece that served as a safe house for Unit 29155, a notorious unit of Russia’s military intelligence agency GRU. The Villa Elena hotel in Frama, Halkidiki, allegedly hosted members of this unit for the past 15 years. The Saposnikovs, originally from Russia, operated as ‘illegals’ or spies without diplomatic cover, living under false identities as Czech citizens. Czech police recently concluded that Russian agents were behind the deadly ammunition depot explosions in Czechia in 2014, with Elena Saposnikova being directly integrated with Unit 29155 and possibly supervising her husband and son in supporting Russian state interests.
The Saposnikov family was involved in various clandestine activities, ranging from intelligence-gathering to logistical facilitation for GRU operatives conducting sabotage missions. They were linked to operatives Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga, the prime suspects in the Skripal poisonings in the UK and the Czechia bombings. The report also uncovered evidence connecting Unit 29155 to the mysterious health condition known as the Havana Syndrome, allegedly caused by directed energy weapons used to target US government personnel overseas. This revelation sheds light on the unit’s involvement in covert operations aimed at foreign entities.
The Czech police investigation into the 2014 ammunition depot explosions in Czechia found that Russian military intelligence operatives were responsible for the deadly blasts. The conclusion adds to the mounting evidence of GRU’s involvement in nefarious activities on foreign soil. The Saposnikovs’ role in providing support and safe havens for Unit 29155 highlights the extent of Russia’s espionage operations in Europe. Elena Saposnikova’s direct integration with the unit suggests a high level of coordination within the family in carrying out espionage activities to further Russian state interests. The revelations point to the complex web of Russian intelligence activities abroad and the need for vigilant monitoring of such operations.
The Villa Elena hotel in northern Greece operated by the Saposnikovs served as a base for Unit 29155, a feared unit of Russia’s GRU, responsible for high-profile attacks including the Skripal poisonings in the UK. The couple, operating as spies without diplomatic cover, facilitated the unit’s operations by providing support services such as safe havens and logistical assistance. The Czech police’s findings linking Russian agents to the 2014 ammunition depot explosions underscore the extent of GRU’s involvement in covert operations across Europe. The involvement of the Saposnikov family in espionage activities points to the intricate network of Russian intelligence operations in the region.
The connection between the Saposnikov family and Unit 29155 highlights the pervasive influence of Russian intelligence agencies in European countries. The family’s role in providing assistance to GRU operatives involved in sabotage missions and other hostile activities underscores the need for increased scrutiny of Russian spy networks operating abroad. The revelations of the family’s ties to high-profile incidents such as the Skripal poisonings and the Czechia bombings underscore the seriousness of the threat posed by Russian intelligence activities in Europe. The need for cooperation among European nations to combat such threats has become increasingly apparent in light of these findings.
The exposure of the Villa Elena hotel as a safe house for Unit 29155 sheds light on the extent of Russian intelligence operations in Europe and the lengths to which they go to carry out covert activities. The Saposnikovs’ involvement in supporting the unit’s operations reveals the complicity of ordinary citizens in furthering Russia’s espionage agenda. The evidence linking the Havana Syndrome to Unit 29155 highlights the unit’s use of directed energy weapons to target foreign government personnel, raising concerns about the methods employed by Russian intelligence agencies. The ongoing investigation into these revelations underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among European nations to counter Russian intelligence threats effectively.
