Alarm signal in Switzerland due to espionage and an unprecedented “threat density”. Accusations to China and Russia

The Federal Information (FIS) service of Switzerland warned, on Wednesday, that the threat represented by espionage is high in the country, as global insecurity increases, and that the main threats come from Russia and China, AFP reports.

“The security situation around Switzerland deteriorates from year to year,” FIS said in his annual report.

“A global confrontation, with the US, and China, and Russia, on the other hand.

The global context has direct implications for Switzerland, a military neutral country, which hosts multiple international organizations.

According to FIS, the confrontation “increases the pressure” on the wealthy Alpine nation, transforming it into a “key target for foreign intelligence”.

“The biggest spy threats come from Russia and China”

In the report it is mentioned that several countries have detached information officers, under cover, in Switzerland, but that Russia and China are “the greatest threats” from this point of view.

“They are given as diplomatic personnel, businessmen, media representatives or tourists, for example,” the report shows.

“The biggest spy threats come from Russia and China, both maintaining a strong presence of information services in Switzerland. These are interested in federal authorities, companies, international organizations and research institutions,” Fis notes.

China and Russia are pursuing police staff, foreign diplomatic missions, journalists and universities, according to the 2025 edition of the Swiss Security Report.

Russia and China have “undercover staff at diplomatic missions”, the report shows.

The Swiss Minister of Defense, Martin Pfister, said that Switzerland's security environment was “drastically damaged” in the context of Russia against Ukraine.

According to the report, Moscow and Beijing will continue to carry out information operations in Switzerland against Western states, including preparatory activities for hybrid war.

“Switzerland is facing an increasing risk of being used illicit for the preparation or committing of abductions, sabotages and murders abroad,” writes in the report.

At the same time, FIS stated that it is not expected to reduce the espionage targeting opponents in exile and journalists living in Switzerland.

“Geneva, as an international meeting point, will remain a hot point for illegal intelligence,” FIS warns.

“We have never experienced such a density of threats. We are not simple observers: we are directly affected,” said FIS director Christian Dussey.

He said that the strategic radar of the agency follows 15 hot points of international crisis.

Dussey said foreign spies are also interested in the Switzerland technological innovation sector.

Fis also said that the intensification of the competition between the great powers made Switzerland a favorite target for attempts to circumvent sanctions and for proliferation.

“Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly trying to purchase double use goods and technologies for their military and nuclear programs through Switzerland,” says FIS.

Moreover, the agency said that the terrorist threat was raised in Switzerland, mainly because of people inspired by jihadist ideology.

“A major challenge is the online radicalization of young people, which can happen quickly, which makes early detection critical,” concluded FIS.