Russia is recruiting foreign spies after a crackdown on its own agents following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a court has heard.

The Kremlin is “increasingly” using people of other nationalities because Russian agents find it too difficult to work in the UK.

The details have emerged as part of the trial of three Bulgarians accused of carrying out “high-level espionage” on behalf of Vladimir Putin’s secret services.

Jurors were told that two of the alleged spies – Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Bizer Dzhambazov, 43 – were found naked in bed together when police went to arrest them at her home.

Dzhambazov’s long-term girlfriend Katrin Ivanova, 33, was also arrested on February 8 2023 at her work as a laboratory assistant.

Ms Ivanova, Ms Gaberova and her ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, all deny conspiracy to spy on behalf of Russia and are on trial at the Old Bailey.

Dzhambazov and Orlin Roussev, 46, have already pleaded guilty to the same charge, jurors heard.