Artem Smirev

Artem Smirev, a 30-something Russian national, lived in Rio de Janeiro with his Brazilian partner and operated a 3-D printing business. Presenting himself as a Brazilian, he possessed authentic Brazilian documents, including a birth certificate and passport, despite his Russian origins. Allegedly involved in a Russian espionage network, Smirev's true identity was part of a larger scheme where Russian agents assumed local identities to operate under the radar. He abruptly left Brazil in late 2022, just before authorities could apprehend him, reportedly heading to Malaysia.