There will be several attempts to get hold of what PST describes as sensitive technology. PST believes that Russia uses friendly states and the sea route to obtain the necessary equipment for its own production of oil and gas. – There is increased pressure and demand for goods that are sanctioned or subject to export legislation. That worries us. The oil industry is particularly vulnerable, whether on the continental shelf or on land, says Stig Ledaal, head of PST Sør-Vest. Stig Ledaal, head of PST in the South-West. Photo: Elise Pedersen / news PST expects that Russian intelligence will continue to have a special focus on the Norwegian continental shelf and what the operators have on land. Among other things, they have found that a ship that has picked up legally purchased offshore equipment in Rogaland appears to be Russian. “Absolutely necessary for Russia to be able to conduct its warfare in Ukraine”, says an assessment from PST. The ship was supposed to have a stop in Europe before its final destination in China. The ship has a Russian crew and has been in several Russian ports, but is registered under a different flag. PST’s investigations show that the ship did not use the stated itinerary, but instead went directly to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. Russian e-service In another case, two companies in Rogaland were contacted by a business connection in Europe. The person wanted to buy equipment. PST is aware that this company was probably a straw company with connections to Russia. The alleged buyer was identified as affiliated with Russian e-service. – The companies are so vigilant that in these cases we have prevented purchases. We have a close dialogue with the companies and investigate to see new attempts, says Ledaal. A ship that has picked up legally purchased offshore equipment in Rogaland appears to be Russian. – Necessary for Russia to be able to conduct its warfare in Ukraine, believes PST. Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news When PST started their investigations, they discovered that the target was probably equipment that can be used for military use. Nor could the buyer provide enough information for the seller to know for sure where the equipment would end up if it were sold. Then there was silence. This makes PST more certain that the buyer can be an intermediary for Russia. – They are deliberately trying to hide that the recipient country is Russia, says Ledaal. More attempts in Europe In a third case, PST was contacted by a local company after a person with connections to a Russian business had tried to trade what PST describes as licensed goods. – We expect and assume that this has increased in Norway. They make contact, nurture contacts, exploit, trick or pressure people, says Ledaal. Payment proposals cannot be linked directly to the company, and the goods must be sent to an “unnatural” location in Europe. This case is followed by PST, and they know that the same company is making similar attempts in other western countries. PST is most concerned that the Russians will establish their intelligence in Norwegian research environments or environments that develop high technology. According to Ledaal, they have an advisory and preventive role. – As of now, we do not see a danger of sabotage against Norway, but an increased threat to the gathering of information, he says. A journalist meets a Russian ship at sea, with an armed man on deck. Does the ship map wind farms? Who are the Russian spies in the Nordics?
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There is hostile and illegal intelligence in Rogaland – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
