What if the person sitting next to you on a plane wasn’t just another passenger—but a spy, watching your every move?
That was the chilling reality for some journalists and dissidents across Europe, all thanks to a Russian espionage network operating from the UK.
For the first time, two women involved in this sophisticated spy ring have been named—Cvetelina Gencheva, an airline worker in Bulgaria, and Tsvetanka Doncheva, based in Austria.
What Are Their Roles?
Tracking targets, gathering flight details, and even staking out journalists’ homes.
Gencheva allegedly used her airline access to snoop on flight details, allowing spies to book seats near their targets.
Meanwhile, Doncheva set up surveillance on an investigative journalist in Vienna and was even paid to spread anti-Ukraine propaganda.
The operation was masterminded by Russian intelligence asset Jan Marsalek, with UK-based spies feeding him information.
Shockingly, police uncovered messages discussing the kidnapping—or worse—of journalists exposing Russian espionage.
Despite overwhelming evidence, neither woman has faced charges.
When confronted, Gencheva hung up, while Doncheva denied her own identity before retreating to her home.
With six of their associates already convicted in London, one question remains—how many more spies are still out there, hiding in plain sight?
