The Main Intelligence Directorate and the Security Service of Ukraine Made the List of Europe’s Best Intelligence Agencies – L’Express
The British intelligence agency MI6 topped the ranking of Europe’s best intelligence services, compiled by the French magazine L’Express based on a survey of 60 current and former heads and senior officials from 25 Western intelligence agencies (including representatives from the CIA and Mossad).
The evaluation was conducted through a voting process, in which each expert selected their top five agencies based on criteria of effectiveness and reliability.
The results were as follows:
1st place — MI6 (United Kingdom): 251 points. The British agency was recognized for its ability to conduct long-term operations, recruit high-level sources, and penetrate deeply into the ruling elites of Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey.
2nd place — DGSE (France): 169 points. The French General Directorate for External Security received high marks for its global reach and significant operational capabilities.
3rd place — AIVD (Netherlands): 97 points. The agency was recognized for its high reliability and efficient use of resources.
4th place — GUR and SBU (Ukraine): 77 points. Ukrainian intelligence agencies outperformed most of their European counterparts thanks to their high level of ingenuity, willingness to take risks, and the complexity of their special operations. Among examples of successful operations, foreign experts highlighted Operation “Spiderweb” and the elimination of Russian generals, comparing the Ukrainian services’ operational style to that of the Mossad.
5th place — BND (Germany): 62 points.
Slovakia’s intelligence service received the lowest rating in the survey due to problems with nepotism, low professionalism, and ties to Russia. Russian intelligence services were not included in this ranking.
Source: L’Express.
On June 1, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out the final stage of the large-scale and extremely complex special operation “Spiderweb,” which permanently dispelled the myth of the invulnerability of Russian strategic aviation.
“The significance of Operation ‘Spiderweb’ and its achievements cannot be overstated,” said Pistrous.
Zelenskyy awarded the classified developers and operatives of Operation Spiderweb.
