The intelligence boss also says Russia is continuing to develop and train its armed forces for a 'large-scale war against NATO'.
"Even though the likelihood of a worst-case scenario is slim, surprises arranged by its authoritarian regime cannot be excluded."
Estonia, one of three Baltic states, is a member of the EU and of NATO and has close ties with the UK.Hundreds of British troops are based in Estonia as part of a NATO operation to deter the threat of Russian aggression along the alliance's eastern flank. It continued:"The parliament as the only EU institution elected directly by the people is a considerable target for Russian influence operations."The spy service said the Kremlin would be likely to focus on larger member states Germany, France and Italy - which comprise about one third of all MEPs - for its intervention efforts.
They include positive coverage by Russian-controlled media; organising high-level meetings and visits that attract media attention; offering covert financial assistance; discrediting opponents by stealing and leaking internal information, as well as spreading false information on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia in EU THREAT: Hackers will causes major disruption to European electionsEU officials are scrambling around to deter Russian hackers from unleashing chaos during May’s Brussels elections.
Read more »
Russia HITS BACK at 'paranoid' claims Moscow trying to interfere in European electionsFURIOUS Kremlin officials described accusations of Russian meddling in Europe’s upcoming parliamentary elections absurd on Wednesday as they demanded the bloc’s leaders to provide detailed evidence to back up the claims.
Read more »
US must send LETHAL WEAPONRY to Ukraine to help defend it against Russia warns expertTHE US must send more arms to Ukraine in order to defend against Russian aggression an expert has warned as tensions between the powers rise.
Read more »
Russia 'must threaten the West with war - to prevent the US invading'General Valery Gerasimov accused the US covertly backing street protests and dissidents, after which - he claimed - Washington is planning to launch military strikes against key infrastructure in Russia.
Read more »
NUCLEAR THREAT: Russia could ‘be FORCED’ to deploy missiles that cover ‘WHOLE’ of EuropeRUSSIA could “be forced” to deploy missiles capable of firing upon the “whole” of Europe, the Russian Ambassador to Washington has warned.
Read more »
Russia bans 'disrespecting the government' - with offenders jailedVladimir Putin's backers in Russia's overwhelmingly pro-Kremlin parliament in Moscow voted through a bill which outlines penalties for those who 'disrespect Russian society.'
Read more »
Russia posts video of its fighter jets ‘intercepting US spy plane over Baltic Sea’THIS is the moment a Russian fighter aircraft intercepts an American plane in the latest dramatic high altitude confrontation over the Baltic. Video taken in the cockpit of the Su-27 shows the airc…
Read more »
International Women's Day marked across the worldProtesters call for an end to domestic violence, sexual attacks and pay discrimination – except in Russia
Read more »
'Mowgli girl', five, found in cockroach-infested rubbish in RussiaThe neglected half-naked child called Lyubov - or Love - was dehydrated and sickly after her mother named Irina Garashchenko, 47, had been 'absent for days' from her noxious Moscow flat.
Read more »
US diplomat tries to fly from Russia to Heathrow Airport with a bomb in his luggage
Read more »