How ‘Daniel’ Led Our Reporters to an Assembly Line for Russian Spies For years, Russia used Brazil as a launchpad for its most elite intelligence officers, known as illegals. They started businesses, made friends and had love affairs — events that, over many years, became the building blocks of entirely new identities. Jane Bradley and Michael Schwirtz, investigative reporters for The New York Times, discuss one case. For years, Russia used Brazil as a launchpad for its most elite intelligence officers, known as illegals. They started businesses, made friends and had love affairs — events that, over many years, became the building blocks of entirely new identities. Jane Bradley and Michael Schwirtz, investigative reporters for The New York Times, discuss one case. For years, Russia used Brazil as a launchpad for its most elite intelligence officers, known as illegals. They started businesses, made friends and had love affairs — events that, over many years, became the building blocks of entirely new identities. Jane Bradley and Michael Schwirtz, investigative reporters for The New York Times, discuss one case.