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Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

dutchnews.nl

41–50 of 148 posts

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#41
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, carrying whatever some secret service said they were carrying (and which we should take their word for it) in an ongoing effort to revive the Cold War... Perhaps they even had WMDs on them...

"Perhaps they even had WMDs on them..." I downvoted you for this. That isn't suggested anywhere and there are enough unsubstantiated accusations flying around without people starting a few more.

That was sarcasm. I doubt they were even spies, or anything beyond the regular spying that always goes on between all parties...

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#42
post #40

Yeah, we, Russians, are so stupid so decided to kill the guy who was in our prison several years ago (why did not we do that then?) with a top Soviet chemical weapon which is like droping a nuclear bomb to kill a single person. There is a information war happening to desecrate Russian Federation in the eyes of the world and nothing more.

Why not use chemical weapons? Kim's brother was assassinated by VX for example. So it's not really out of character for autocrats. Chemical weapons are easy to use in quantities that ensure limited effect.

Much easier and quiet way is to find a criminal guy who would kill Skripal for money and make it look like a robbery.

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just walking around, doing nothing suspicious and carrying nothing special.

Almost certainly. My guess is that they were innocent geometry fans, visiting 'Escher in het Paleis' - a permanent exhibition of the works of Maurits Cornelis Escher located in a former Royal palace. It's pretty cool. https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/the-hagu...

Ah yes! It's famous not just in Europe, but in the whole world!

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He wasn't suggesting that they actually had WMDs on them. He was drawing parallels to a high-profile previous instance of government officials lying about "enemies" in an effort to create support for wars that further their own ends. But I think you knew that.

He did however suggest that the UK, Dutch and Swiss agencies can't be trusted in this case, which is beyond laughable. It implies that another actor would have tried to kill former Russian agents and UK citizens with a chemical weapon. Why would anyone in the west go to such lengths to frame Russia in this? It'd be like kicking a kid that's on the ground. They have nothing to gain from it. Adding to that, the bluntne…

>He did however suggest that the UK, Dutch and Swiss agencies can't be trusted in this case, which is beyond laughable.

Yeah, because agencies and especially of good old colonial powers like UK and Dutch have historically been very trustable, and not at all working to promote the interests of their states (with lies, covert action, false flag operations, and so on)

>It implies that another actor would have tried to kill former Russian agents and UK citizens with a chemical weapon.

Yeah, nobody does false flags ever.

A more plausible explanation is that Putin waited 12 years to kill the guy, long after he was out of Russia (where they could have gotten to him far more easily), and from 2000 other ways to kill someone they chose something that's the equivalent of living their business card on the murder scene...

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#45
post #4

Article says detained, not arrested.

There could be several reasons for not arresting these "spies". First, there might have been just suspicions but no real evidence, something that would make prosecuting these men problematic and also cause a significant diplomatic struggle for the Dutch. Secondly, the evidence itself might expose sources and methods that the Dutch would not like to be exposed in a publicly prosecuted legal case. Third, the NRC article suggests that these individuals might have been two earlier evicted Russian embassy employees, in which case they might even have been immune to arrest.

The timing of these allegations are at best suspect. If the allegations are true, it would definitely not look great on Russia. But it might have been about Russia trying to get insight into what they are up against in the whole Novichok debacle. Not nice, but something (m)any governments might try, in a case like this.

It should also be noted that Holland is not an impartial party when it comes to Russia. One of Holland's largest companies, Royal Dutch Shell, bought exclusive concession rights (for several decades to come) to natural resources in the Ukraine, most of which became inaccessible to them after the regime change in Kiev and the subsequent separation of Crimea and the eastern part of the country that it triggered. Shell, just as key American players who made similar deals, will not be happy about how events unfolded in the Ukraine. Furthermore, Shell has a substantial leverage within Dutch politics and government. Of course, none of that proves that the Dutch can not be trusted, but it might be wise to at least not blindly believe whatever Russia related news comes from them.

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#46

Yeah, we, Russians, are so stupid so decided to kill the guy who was in our prison several years ago (why did not we do that then?) with a top Soviet chemical weapon which is like droping a nuclear bomb to kill a single person. There is a information war happening to desecrate Russian Federation in the eyes of the world and nothing more.

You chose the wrong pill my friend

I don't take pills, I live here and all the Skripal story is looking like a bullshit to me, that's my point of view so you can see not only what your mass media is feeding you. Russia is gaining power and other countries don't want that, so come up with ideas to blame Russia in all sins.

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#47
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not use chemical weapons? Kim's brother was assassinated by VX for example. So it's not really out of character for autocrats. Chemical weapons are easy to use in quantities that ensure limited effect.

Much easier and quiet way is to find a criminal guy who would kill Skripal for money and make it look like a robbery.

Depends on the goal. I don't think you can assume it was just to get rid of the person.

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#48
post #36
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wasn't this comment (the whole thread, really) just sarcasm?

Original comment was from Britain, so yes. But let´s face it, if the Americans realized just how often the British are being conversationally sarcastic at their expense, it wouldn´t be Russian invaders that we´d have to worry about. Fortunately the accent cues don´t seem to get picked up that often.

> Original comment was from Britain, so yes.

LOL! Have my upvote!

Re: Russian spies detained in The Hague were planning cyber break-in at Swiss lab

#49
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Much easier and quiet way is to find a criminal guy who would kill Skripal for money and make it look like a robbery.

Depends on the goal. I don't think you can assume it was just to get rid of the person.

But that's the thing.

There's no clear reason for Russians to so publicly go after this guy. They gain absolutely nothing from it. Whatever the "message" this was supposed to send, it's unclear.

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