Secrets And Spies: a podcast about Espionage, Terrorism & GeoPolitics

Chris welcomes back national security journalist Florian Flade to unpack Russia’s shadow war against NATO. They examine Moscow’s escalating hybrid attacks across Europe—from sabotage and arson to drone incursions and attempted assassinations—and how Russia recruits low-level agents via Telegram and even AI-driven chatbots. Florian details arson plots, suspicious drone activity near critical infrastructure, infiltration of the German Navy, and a parcel bomb campaign stretching from Lithuania to the UK. They also explore how Russia exploits legal loopholes, overwhelms under-resourced security services, and uses these operations to map NATO’s vulnerabilities. Plus, an alleged assassination plot in Frankfurt, concerns about escalation, and why European security services may still be underprepared for what’s coming.


Follow Florian’s blog and connect on social media

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/florianflade.bsky.social

Twitter/X: https://x.com/FlorianFlade

Blog: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/


Florian’s reporting discussed in the episode

https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/drohnen-ueberfluege-102.html

https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/sabotage-marine-ostsee-102.html

https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/russland-sabotage-106.html

https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/ukraine-russland-spionage-102.html

https://www.generalbundesanwalt.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/Pressemitteilung-vom-18-04-2024.html


Support Secrets and Spies

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies

Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996

Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg

For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com


Connect with us on social media


Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social

Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies

Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies

Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies


Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social


Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird


Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.