Helen Warrell
@helenwarrell.bsky.social
FT investigations. Previously defence & security editor, political and home affairs correspondent. Get in touch: helen.warrell@ft.com
Pinned
Helen Warrell
@helenwarrell.bsky.social
· Sep 26
The Russian spy ship stalking Europe’s subsea cables
Covert operations in waters surrounding the British Isles pose a grave threat to critical infrastructure and a fresh challenge to Nato
www.ft.com
What is Russia's spy ship Yantar and why has it been loitering in British waters? The FT investigates the threat to undersea cables & the work of Moscow's secret deep-sea research unit, GUGI, as an agent of sabotage. With @chriscook.news Daria Mosolova & David Djambazov
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Helen Warrell
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
November 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
Last week the UK warned Russia to rein in its spy ship Yantar, which was heading to Irish waters. This is how Ireland's neutrality & lack of naval clout has become a security liability, threatening its economy & unsettling its neighbours. By @judewebber.bsky.social & me www.ft.com/content/4748...
How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
With few ships and limited intelligence-sharing, some say the country cannot hope to protect itself or its infrastructure
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Last week the UK warned Russia to rein in its spy ship Yantar, which was heading to Irish waters. This is how Ireland's neutrality & lack of naval clout has become a security liability, threatening its economy & unsettling its neighbours. By @judewebber.bsky.social & me www.ft.com/content/4748...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
UK 🇬🇧 Ministry of Defence (MOD) image of Russian spy ship Yantar, presumably in or near UK waters.
Note that the ROV (remote operated vehicle, a deep-sea robot) A-frame is deployed (red). It’s doing something on the seabed.
Also two new radomes (yellow)
Note that the ROV (remote operated vehicle, a deep-sea robot) A-frame is deployed (red). It’s doing something on the seabed.
Also two new radomes (yellow)
November 19, 2025 at 12:47 PM
UK 🇬🇧 Ministry of Defence (MOD) image of Russian spy ship Yantar, presumably in or near UK waters.
Note that the ROV (remote operated vehicle, a deep-sea robot) A-frame is deployed (red). It’s doing something on the seabed.
Also two new radomes (yellow)
Note that the ROV (remote operated vehicle, a deep-sea robot) A-frame is deployed (red). It’s doing something on the seabed.
Also two new radomes (yellow)
The Russian spy ship Yantar is once again loitering near UK waters: for a full run-down on this vessel and the exploits of GUGI, Moscow's secretive underwater operations unit, see our @financialtimes.com investigation from earlier this year: ft.com/content/0b35...
November 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The Russian spy ship Yantar is once again loitering near UK waters: for a full run-down on this vessel and the exploits of GUGI, Moscow's secretive underwater operations unit, see our @financialtimes.com investigation from earlier this year: ft.com/content/0b35...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Today we have the latest in our collaboration with the @financialtimes.com. This week, we're talking all things WAR, with @jamesodonnell.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1...
The State of AI: How war will be changed forever
In this conversation, Helen Warrell, FT investigations reporter and former defense and security editor, and James O’Donnell, MIT Technology Review’s senior AI reporter, consider the ethical quandaries...
www.technologyreview.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Today we have the latest in our collaboration with the @financialtimes.com. This week, we're talking all things WAR, with @jamesodonnell.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/17/1...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
FT Investigation: Using radar data collected by European Space Agency satellites, the FT was able to locate the spy ship hovering over critical cables in the middle of the Irish Sea in November, at a point in the voyage when the ship was seeking to hide its activities. on.ft.com/46JjsIJ
September 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
FT Investigation: Using radar data collected by European Space Agency satellites, the FT was able to locate the spy ship hovering over critical cables in the middle of the Irish Sea in November, at a point in the voyage when the ship was seeking to hide its activities. on.ft.com/46JjsIJ
What is Russia's spy ship Yantar and why has it been loitering in British waters? The FT investigates the threat to undersea cables & the work of Moscow's secret deep-sea research unit, GUGI, as an agent of sabotage. With @chriscook.news Daria Mosolova & David Djambazov
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
The Russian spy ship stalking Europe’s subsea cables
Covert operations in waters surrounding the British Isles pose a grave threat to critical infrastructure and a fresh challenge to Nato
www.ft.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:19 AM
What is Russia's spy ship Yantar and why has it been loitering in British waters? The FT investigates the threat to undersea cables & the work of Moscow's secret deep-sea research unit, GUGI, as an agent of sabotage. With @chriscook.news Daria Mosolova & David Djambazov
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
www.ft.com/content/0b35...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
FT exposes Russian cooperation with Iran in pursuit of dual-use nuclear technology.
Essential reading to understand Iranian efforts to acquire the tools, expertise and material to make and amplify the power of nuclear bombs.
Ace reporting by @miles-johnson.bsky.social and @maxseddon.bsky.social
Essential reading to understand Iranian efforts to acquire the tools, expertise and material to make and amplify the power of nuclear bombs.
Ace reporting by @miles-johnson.bsky.social and @maxseddon.bsky.social
The covert trip by Iranian nuclear experts to Russia
An Iranian delegation visited Russian scientific institutes that produce dual-use technologies — components with potential applications in nuclear weapons research
www.ft.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:21 AM
FT exposes Russian cooperation with Iran in pursuit of dual-use nuclear technology.
Essential reading to understand Iranian efforts to acquire the tools, expertise and material to make and amplify the power of nuclear bombs.
Ace reporting by @miles-johnson.bsky.social and @maxseddon.bsky.social
Essential reading to understand Iranian efforts to acquire the tools, expertise and material to make and amplify the power of nuclear bombs.
Ace reporting by @miles-johnson.bsky.social and @maxseddon.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Mit Gewinn gehört: Die FT-Hot Money-Staffel von @samgadjones.bsky.social zu Marsalek. Letzte Folge heute erschienen, einschließlich eines sehr nachdenklich stimmenden Schlusssatzes.
www.ft.com/content/d5f8...
www.ft.com/content/d5f8...
How Wirecard’s Jan Marsalek went from fraudster to spy
The third season of our investigative podcast asks: who is the real Jan Marsalek? And what does his secret life reveal about the powerful forces he serves?
www.ft.com
July 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Mit Gewinn gehört: Die FT-Hot Money-Staffel von @samgadjones.bsky.social zu Marsalek. Letzte Folge heute erschienen, einschließlich eines sehr nachdenklich stimmenden Schlusssatzes.
www.ft.com/content/d5f8...
www.ft.com/content/d5f8...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Great column by @sarahoconnorft.ft.com:
Why does the internet hate my apostrophe?
It turns out I am not machine readable — but that might be an advantage in the future
www.ft.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Great column by @sarahoconnorft.ft.com:
Essential reading from Miranda here — a firm no to shorts and jackets but yes to male sarongs
The Central Line is like an oven - what do you wear in an oven that's office-appropriate? some ideas for heatwave attire I've spotted in the last few days - including a 3 piece suit in thick Irish tweed 🌡️🌡️🌡️https://www.ft.com/content/aaa210a3-8233-43f0-9d0a-5cc29edb122a
Dressing up or giving up? The heatwave trials of commuter clothing
Londoners are attempting to adapt their wardrobes to a sweltering Tube journey, with mixed results
www.ft.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Essential reading from Miranda here — a firm no to shorts and jackets but yes to male sarongs
A poignant report from our ever-brilliant Najmeh Bozorgmehr
‘Let them kill us’: millions of Iranians refuse to leave Tehran https://on.ft.com/3HFY2Ua
‘Let them kill us’: millions of Iranians refuse to leave Tehran
Many are staying put in the Iranian capital, despite Israel’s deadly strikes and warnings to evacuate
on.ft.com
June 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A poignant report from our ever-brilliant Najmeh Bozorgmehr
Masterful piece on Iran's Fordow enrichment plant, buried deep in the mountains, by my colleagues JP Rathbone and
Charles Clover
"To Israeli military planners, it is akin to Mount Doom..."
www.ft.com/content/46c6...
Charles Clover
"To Israeli military planners, it is akin to Mount Doom..."
www.ft.com/content/46c6...
The nuclear mountain that haunts Israel
Buried half a kilometre underground, Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility is the ultimate test of Israeli air power
www.ft.com
June 16, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Masterful piece on Iran's Fordow enrichment plant, buried deep in the mountains, by my colleagues JP Rathbone and
Charles Clover
"To Israeli military planners, it is akin to Mount Doom..."
www.ft.com/content/46c6...
Charles Clover
"To Israeli military planners, it is akin to Mount Doom..."
www.ft.com/content/46c6...
New: UK appoints Blaise Metreweli as the first female head of MI6
Metreweli, 47, is currently SIS' head of technology, known as ‘Q’. She has previously worked for SIS in roles across the Middle East & as director of state threats for MI5
www.ft.com/content/b12e...
Metreweli, 47, is currently SIS' head of technology, known as ‘Q’. She has previously worked for SIS in roles across the Middle East & as director of state threats for MI5
www.ft.com/content/b12e...
Britain’s MI6 spy agency promotes ‘Q’ to be first female head
Appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes as agents grapple with competing threats
www.ft.com
June 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
New: UK appoints Blaise Metreweli as the first female head of MI6
Metreweli, 47, is currently SIS' head of technology, known as ‘Q’. She has previously worked for SIS in roles across the Middle East & as director of state threats for MI5
www.ft.com/content/b12e...
Metreweli, 47, is currently SIS' head of technology, known as ‘Q’. She has previously worked for SIS in roles across the Middle East & as director of state threats for MI5
www.ft.com/content/b12e...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
New Hot Money podcast is all about Jan Marsalek, the Wirecard fraudster and Russian spy. Listen to @samgadjones.bsky.social chase him through the shadows here:
Hot Money: how Wirecard’s Jan Marsalek went from fraudster to spy
The third season of our investigative podcast asks: who is the real Jan Marsalek? And what does his secret life reveal about the powerful forces he serves?
on.ft.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
New Hot Money podcast is all about Jan Marsalek, the Wirecard fraudster and Russian spy. Listen to @samgadjones.bsky.social chase him through the shadows here:
Rhianan Rudd was drawn into far-right extremism aged 14, with tragic consequences. Her inquest heard from MI5, CT police, Prevent officials & social workers, who face a rising caseload of teens radicalised online. Is there more the British state could do to keep them safe?
www.ft.com/content/ae02...
www.ft.com/content/ae02...
The vulnerable teen drawn into far-right extremism online
Could the British state have done more to help Rhianan Rudd?
www.ft.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Rhianan Rudd was drawn into far-right extremism aged 14, with tragic consequences. Her inquest heard from MI5, CT police, Prevent officials & social workers, who face a rising caseload of teens radicalised online. Is there more the British state could do to keep them safe?
www.ft.com/content/ae02...
www.ft.com/content/ae02...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
UK close to appointing first female head of MI6 www.ft.com/content/55bf...
UK close to appointing first female head of MI6
Two women remain in running to be chief of Secret Intelligence Service, with decision expected within a fortnight
www.ft.com
June 7, 2025 at 7:33 AM
UK close to appointing first female head of MI6 www.ft.com/content/55bf...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Wild new Jan Marsalek update from UK court. The fugitive Wirecard fraudster and Russian spy aspired to build a Chinese rival to Musk’s Starlink, was trading diamonds in Africa, and had plastic surgeries to change his appearance.
Oh, and then there’s the Afghanistan airlift claims…
Oh, and then there’s the Afghanistan airlift claims…
Bulgarian spy helped Wirecard’s Marsalek plan Kabul airlift for CIA, court told
[FREE TO READ] Claim dismissed by prosecution lawyers at Old Bailey sentencing hearing
on.ft.com
May 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Wild new Jan Marsalek update from UK court. The fugitive Wirecard fraudster and Russian spy aspired to build a Chinese rival to Musk’s Starlink, was trading diamonds in Africa, and had plastic surgeries to change his appearance.
Oh, and then there’s the Afghanistan airlift claims…
Oh, and then there’s the Afghanistan airlift claims…
In northern Norway, US marines are learning Arctic warfare. Here is my @financialtimes.com story on the competition between Russia, China & Nato in this region – and how troops fight in a hostile climate. With Daria Mosolova & beautiful 📷 by @kalpeshlathigra.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/76fd...
www.ft.com/content/76fd...
Meet the warriors trying to teach the west how to fight in the Arctic
Melting sea ice, rising tensions and the relearning of what it will take to master the art of Arctic warfare
www.ft.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:37 AM
In northern Norway, US marines are learning Arctic warfare. Here is my @financialtimes.com story on the competition between Russia, China & Nato in this region – and how troops fight in a hostile climate. With Daria Mosolova & beautiful 📷 by @kalpeshlathigra.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/76fd...
www.ft.com/content/76fd...
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Farewell to one of the most important spies of the Cold War. Oleg Gordievsky has died in the UK. A KGB officer who spied for MI6, he supplied vital intelligence that helped manage tensions between the West and the Soviet Union in the 80s. Nothing suspicious to his passing, I understand.
March 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Farewell to one of the most important spies of the Cold War. Oleg Gordievsky has died in the UK. A KGB officer who spied for MI6, he supplied vital intelligence that helped manage tensions between the West and the Soviet Union in the 80s. Nothing suspicious to his passing, I understand.
Reposted by Helen Warrell
Marsalek made himself useful, running a Bulgarian spy ring in the UK with enough bumbling adventure for most lifetimes, according to details revealed in the trial that resulted in three convictions today.
Astounding story from Helen Warrell, Martha Muir and Daria Mosolova here:
Astounding story from Helen Warrell, Martha Muir and Daria Mosolova here:
The Wirecard fugitive, Russian intelligence and a Bulgarian spy ring
A London espionage trial has provided rare insight into the activities of Jan Marsalek, the former payments executive, and how Moscow is outsourcing its spying
www.ft.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Marsalek made himself useful, running a Bulgarian spy ring in the UK with enough bumbling adventure for most lifetimes, according to details revealed in the trial that resulted in three convictions today.
Astounding story from Helen Warrell, Martha Muir and Daria Mosolova here:
Astounding story from Helen Warrell, Martha Muir and Daria Mosolova here:
Reposted by Helen Warrell
You think a story is over, then a Bulgarian pops up in the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth with a garage full of spying equipment and plans to kidnap a dissident
Who is Jan Marsalek, the absconded fraudster and Russian spymaster to 3 Bulgarians convicted in the UK today?
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
March 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
You think a story is over, then a Bulgarian pops up in the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth with a garage full of spying equipment and plans to kidnap a dissident
The Wirecard fugitive, Russian intelligence and a Bulgarian spy ring -- what a London espionage trial tells us about the new life of Jan Marsalek. With Martha Muir, Daria Mosolova & @samgadjones.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/d91d...
www.ft.com/content/d91d...
The Wirecard fugitive, Russian intelligence and a Bulgarian spy ring
A London espionage trial has provided rare insight into the activities of Jan Marsalek, the former payments executive, and how Moscow is outsourcing its spying
www.ft.com
March 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The Wirecard fugitive, Russian intelligence and a Bulgarian spy ring -- what a London espionage trial tells us about the new life of Jan Marsalek. With Martha Muir, Daria Mosolova & @samgadjones.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/d91d...
www.ft.com/content/d91d...