Russian GRU Officer Named in NYT Investigation Leaves Japan

A Russian GRU intelligence officer named Filchenkov left Japan after The New York Times identified him on July 12, 2026, The Japan News reported on July 23. Filchenkov had operated under commercial cover at Aeroflot's Tokyo office, which the Times said was used to procure Japanese technology for Russian missiles and drones. A 2022 Nikkei report estimated 120 Russian intelligence officers were in Japan.