MOSCOW, March 5 (RAPSI) – The Federal Security Service (FSB) officers stopped the activity of 469 spies in 2017, President Vladimir Putin said during the FSB board session on Monday.

According to the President, activity of foreign intelligence against Russia has increased over the last years. “They use the most advanced methods of covert and technical intelligence,” Putin said. In 2017, activities of 397 foreign intelligence agents and 72 career officers were suppressed, he stressed.

Putin ordered FSB to continue prevention of espionage activities against Russia in political, economic, technologic and defense areas. The President also instructed the officers to enhance Russia’s information space protection from cyber threats.