Russia sent nine novice spies to Brazil, where they spent years building their cover identities before deploying elsewhere in the world. The operation, code-named “The Spy Factory,” involved creating Brazilian passports and ID documents that allowed the spies to blend in seamlessly.
According to investigative reporter Jane Bradley of The New York Times, Brazil’s diverse population and powerful passport system made it an attractive target for Russia. The country’s ID system also has a loophole that makes it easy to apply for birth certificates, making it a prime location for creating fake identities.
The operation was uncovered when Brazilian authorities received a tip from the CIA about a suspected Russian spy on a plane returning to Sao Paulo. An investigation revealed that one of the spies, Sergey Cherkasov, had spent seven years in Brazil building his cover identity and even landed an internship at the International Criminal Court just as it began investigating Russia for war crimes in Ukraine.
However, when Cherkasov was caught trying to enter the Netherlands, he was swiftly deported back to Sao Paulo. Brazilian authorities tracked down relatives of his birth certificate and discovered that they were nonexistent, revealing Cherkasov’s true identity.
The investigation revealed that Cherkasov was not alone; several other spies had also been operating in Brazil. However, when Brazilian authorities identified them, the spies had managed to slip through their fingers. Intelligence officials believe that all nine spies have now returned to Russia.
In an unusual twist, Russian authorities were quick to admit involvement and provided detailed information about the operation. However, they remain tight-lipped about what happened to the spies after they were caught.
Source: https://www.kosu.org/world-news/2025-05-21/russia-sent-novice-spies-to-brazil-then-brazil-exposed-them