The European Commission has alerted its staff about the risks of espionage.

"Brussels is one of the largest espionage centers in the world, where hundreds of intelligence agency employees target our institution," the warning states. "Anyone, regardless of their position, can become a target." It is noted that foreign intelligence officers typically operate under the guise of diplomats, journalists, lobbyists, scientists, or graduate students.

The text does not specify particular sources of the threat. In 2019, the EU diplomatic service warned employees about the risks of espionage from China and Russia.

According to Belgian intelligence estimates, in some embassies in Brussels, intelligence personnel may comprise between 10 to 20 percent of diplomats, as reported by Politico in 2020. EU countries have repeatedly expelled employees of Russian diplomatic missions on suspicion of espionage.

Radio Free Europe's news release: