Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Head Says They Continue To Have Contacts With The CIA

FILE PHOTO: The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin © Sputnik / Aleksey Nikolsky 

RT: Top Russian spy reveals contact with CIA 

Washington remains Moscow’s “most dangerous and uncompromising” adversary, Sergey Naryshkin has said 

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) maintains contact with the CIA, its head, Sergey Naryshkin, told the Russian ‘National Defense’ magazine last week. Such communication helps reduce unnecessary tensions even though uncertainty is growing over the outcome of the geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West, he said. 

“Consultations between the SVR and the CIA are of a rare but regular nature,” Naryshkin said, when asked if a direct communication link between the two intelligence services still exists and whether it could be “used again.”  

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Update: Russian intelligence chief reveals ongoing contract with CIA to ease geopolitical tensions (MENAFN)  

WNU Editor: I suspect these "contacts" are very superficial.

How Bellingcat Exposed The Involvement Of Russia's Spy Agencies In The Skripal Case

Illustration: Bellingcat/Getty/Guardian Design

Luke Harding, The Guardian: 'A chain of stupidity': the Skripal case and the decline of Russia's spy agencies

The unmasking of the Salisbury poisoning suspects by a new digital journalism outfit was an embarrassment for Putin – and evidence that Russian spies are not what they once were.

In 2011 I was in Libya reporting on the civil war. Rebels backed by the US, the UK and France were advancing on the capital, Tripoli. The insurgents moved forward through bombed-out towns as Muammar Gaddafi’s forces retreated. Coastal cities in the west and east, oil refineries, Roman ruins and temples – all fell, one by one, as the regime lost ground.

These were dangerous times. In the town of Zawiyah I found locals celebrating victory in the main square. They were shooting in the air and doing wheelspins and skids in their cars and trucks. Gaddafi’s soldiers had left the previous night, fleeing down the road. I saw a small boy, maybe eight years old, stomping on a Gaddafi flag. “The city is ruined. No problem – we will rebuild it,” one local, Tariq Sadiq, told me.

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WNU Editor: A fascinating read. Bottom line. It is hard to hide in today's world of cameras, smart phones, and algorithms that can sift through data at lightning speeds.

Hackers Expose Russia's New 'Cyber Weapons'

Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

Forbes: Putin’s Secret Intelligence Agency Hacked: Dangerous New ‘Cyber Weapons’ Now Exposed

Red faces in Red Square, again. Last July, I reported on the hacking of SyTech, an FSB contractor working on internet surveillance tech. Now, reports have emerged from Russia of another shocking security breach within the FSB ecosystem. This one has exposed “a new weapon ordered by the security service,” one that can be used to execute cyber attacks on IoT devices.

The goal of the so-called “Fronton Program” is to exploit IoT security vulnerabilities en masse—remember, these technologies are fundamentally less secure than other connected devices in homes and offices. In fact, one of the breached technical documents reported by BBC Russia even explains that “the Internet of Things is less secure than mobile devices and servers.” The security contractors highlight retained default “factory” passwords as the obvious weakness, one that is easy to exploit.

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Update: Hackers say they breached Russian contractor, got details on IoT hacking project for Russia spy agency (Boing Boing)

WNU Editor: It looks like the Russiais intel agencies have the same problem when it comes to security as the West.

U.S. Intelligence: Accusing Ukraine For Interfering In The U.S. 2016 Election Is A Russian Intellgience Operation

President Vladmir V. Putin of Russia has been pushing false theories of Ukrainian interference since early 2017, according to American officials.Credit...Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, via Reuters

New York Times: Charges of Ukrainian Meddling? A Russian Operation, U.S. Intelligence Says

Moscow has run a yearslong operation to blame Ukraine for its own 2016 election interference. Republicans have used similar talking points to defend President Trump in impeachment proceedings.

WASHINGTON — Republicans have sought for weeks amid the impeachment inquiry to shift attention to President Trump’s demands that Ukraine investigate any 2016 election meddling, defending it as a legitimate concern while Democrats accuse Mr. Trump of pursuing fringe theories for his benefit.

The Republican defense of Mr. Trump became central to the impeachment proceedings when Fiona Hill, a respected Russia scholar and former senior White House official, added a harsh critique during testimony on Thursday. She told some of Mr. Trump’s fiercest defenders in Congress that they were repeating “a fictional narrative” — and that it likely came from a disinformation campaign by Russian security services, which themselves propagated it.

In a briefing that closely aligned with Dr. Hill’s testimony, American intelligence officials informed senators and their aides in recent weeks that Russia had engaged in a yearslong campaign to essentially frame Ukraine as responsible for Moscow’s own hacking of the 2016 election, according to three American officials. The briefing came as Republicans stepped up their defenses of Mr. Trump in the Ukraine affair.

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WNU Editor: It is interesting that the New York Times is posting only now (from an anonymous source) that reports on Ukraine meddling in the 2016 election is a Russian intelligence operation. Talk about timing, especially since some in the media, Republican politicians, and Ukraine officials  now exposing past links between Ukraine and senior Democrat officials starting with the Bidens. My comment in the previous post also still holds ....

.... This is another example on the disconnect between Washington, its foreign policy establishment, and what may actually be happening out there. President Donald Trump’s former Russia adviser believes that Ukraine meddling is fiction, so what is her explanation on this Politico report from 2017 .... Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump backfire (Politico), or even this story from The Hill earlier this year .... Ukrainian to US prosecutors: Why don't you want our evidence on Democrats? (The Hill). Then there is the Ukraine media and their massive coverage of this story which makes Fiona Hill's assertion yesterday that Ukraine did not meddle in the 2016 Presidential election even more confusing. So who to believe? A former official with enormous government resources behind her who says talk of meddling is fiction, or others who are publicly reporting on this story and providing evidence to back-up their reporting. You tell me.

Fire Breaks Out At Russia's 'CIA' HQ

It is thought the fire was caused after an electrical short circuit at the SVR headquarters (file)

Daily Mail: Mystery as huge blaze breaks out at Putin's top secret spying HQ as intelligence service denies claims three trapped workers 'perished'

* Smoke was seen billowing from headquarters of Russian spy agency SVR
* Blaze broke out in a tunnel of the agency after an short circuit, it is claimed
* Three workers were reported to have died after getting trapped in a basement
* But spy chiefs denied this, saying nobody was hurt or killed in the incident

A fire has broken out at the headquarters of Russia's spying agency amid claims three workers died in the blaze.

Drone footage revealed a huge column of smoke pouring from the headquarters of the SVR - the successor to the Soviet-era KGB - on Wednesday.

One report by Russian outlet HUE claimed three staff perished after the fire broke out in a basement but the SVR denied this, saying nobody was hurt or injured.

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WNU Editor: Another image on what the SVR headquarters complex looks like can be seen here.

More News On Yesterday's Fire At Russia's SVR HQ

Fire breaks out at Russian foreign intel service facility in Moscow (VIDEO) -- RT
Blaze at Russia’s foreign intelligence headquarters in Moscow claims three lives -- TASS
Russia: Fire flares at spy agency headquarters; no injuries -- Fox News
Mystery of fire at Russian President Vladimir Putin's top secret spying HQ amid claims three trapped workers died -- Mirror
Fire Hits Russian Foreign Spy Building in Moscow -- Newsmax

Do Russian Intelligence Agents Retire?

Ralph Peters, New York Post: No one ever truly retires from Russian intelligence

Of all the creatures rumored to roam the earth, we can be certain that three do not exist: unicorns, fire-breathing dragons and “former” Russian intelligence agents. Moscow’s security services are like the mob: Once you’re in, you’re in for life. Whether the “former” spy or hit man is doing billion-dollar deals through Cypriot banks or running a tanning parlor in Murmansk, when the capo di capo calls, the game’s back on.

We can’t take the measure of Russians by applying American rules. Here, when you leave an intelligence agency, you leave your access and duties completely behind you (unless you go to work for a Beltway Bandit, in which case there’s a record of your employment). When I retired from US Army Military Intelligence, I was “read off” and could not be tapped for classified work any longer, unless I were formally rehired and processed for a renewed security clearance.

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WNU Editor: I was about to make a joke on this story .... that KGB/FSB officers will only retire when they get a better job and/or promotion .... but it does deserve a serious answer.

I can only speak for myself .... but over the years the people who I met that I felt confident were KGB/FSB were always serious and never happy .... but when they got promoted to a high government position and/or started their own business and/or immigrated to the West .... their mood completely changed to one of always being happy and pleasant to be with .... it was almost as if they were set free. There was one person who was in the Soviet delegation at ICAO (when I worked there from 1989 to 1993) who I strongly believed was KGB .... and so did many in the press (see link here). I was always leery of him .... and he was always leery of me. He knew that I wanted reforms and change in the Soviet Union .... but he always left me alone because (and I can only guess) that he did not feel comfortable about who I knew back home .... though I am sure he checked. Years later I met him in Saint Petersburg at an economic seminar where people were debating on what was needed to reform the Russian economy. His character and mood was completely different .... pleasant to be with, gracious, and filled with humour. And in his lecture and Q&A ..... he was as capitalist as you can get .... free markets, minimal government regulations, etc.. But here is the punchline .... he was also (until he retired a few years ago) .... one of President Putin's first economic advisers. He also became (so I was told) a Canadian citizen. It makes you wonder ....

As for Ralph Peters (the writer of the above New York Post commentary) .... I have seen him more than once on the cable networks .... and he has totally jumped the shark on Russia-gate .... labelling those who criticise him and/or want evidence  on what he is claiming as either Putin stooges or worse. He is not helping the debate .... but sadly .... that is the state of much of the U.S. media today.

Putin Praises Russia's Spies

The Russian President congratulated Foreign Intelligence Service staff and veterans on the 95th anniversary of Russian illegal intelligence. (Source: Kremlin.ru)

Memri: At The 95th Anniversary Of Russian Illegal Intelligence, Putin Touts Spies, Warns: 'Foreign Intelligence Services Directed Against Russia And Our Allies Is On The Rise'

On June 28, the Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) to attend a gala event devoted to the 95th anniversary of Russian illegal intelligence.[1] During the event, Putin stressed that foreign intelligence services directed "against Russia" are on the rise.

During the gala, SVR Director Sergey Naryshkin concurred: "At present, a number of NATO member states pursue an aggressive policy, so our duty is to search for new methods to improve our capabilities in order to quickly respond to the changes, challenges and threats of the modern world and the modern information society."

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Hat tip to Fred for this link.

Russian Navy Intelligence Ship Has Has Sunk In The Black Sea After Hitting A Freighter

RT: Russian Navy reconnaissance ship sinks after collision in Black Sea

A Russian Navy reconnaissance ship has sunk after colliding with another vessel near the Bosporus, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

The hull of ‘the Liman,’ a 1,560-ton reconnaissance ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was breached below the waterline in the collision, the Defense Ministry said.

The Turkish coast guard said it rescued 78 people from the Russian ship, which was later confirmed by the Russian authorities.

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WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that right now Russia is assembling a crew to go to to where the ship sunk, and to retrieve any intelligence equipment if possible. I also expect Moscow to dispatch a warship to guard the site .... if they have not done so already. On the flip side .... I am willing to bet that right now the CIA/Western intelligence agencies/etc., are scrambling personnel and equipment to go to the site and do the same thing. This is going to be interesting when they finally meet each other. On a side note .... TASS is calling this ship a "research vessel" .... Russian Black Sea research vessel collides with freighter near Bosphorus (TASS)

More News On A Russian Navy Intelligence Ship Sinking In The Black Sea After Hitting A Freighter

Russian intelligence ship SINKS as 78 soldiers are evacuated after crashing into a vessel carrying livestock off the Turkish coast -- Daily Mail
Russian Navy Ship Sinks In Black Sea After Collision With Freighter -- NBC/AP
Russian spy ship sinks off Turkey after collision -- AFP
Russian navy intelligence ship sinks after collision with freighter off Turkish coast -- Washington Post
78 Rescued as Russian Naval Ship Sinks After Collision -- NYT
Russian spy ship sinks after Black Sea collision -- UPI
Russian intelligence ship sinks off Turkey's Black Sea coast after collision, authorities say -- ABC News Online
Russian warship sinks after collision with freighter off Turkish Black Sea coast -- DW
Russian ship sinks in Black Sea after collision -- CNN
Russian Military Ship Sinks After Collision With a Freighter -- Popular Mechanics

Russian President Putin Wants U.S. And Russian Intelligence Agencies To Cooperate Together

© Sputnik/ Aleksey Nikolskyi

Sputnik: Restoring Dialogue Between Russian, US Intelligence in Common Interests - Putin

It is in the interests of both Russia and the United States to establish a dialogue to fight terrorism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board meeting Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — He told the FSB Board "it is absolutely obvious that all responsible organizations and international associations should cooperate in the area of counterterrorism."

"Restoring dialogue with the intelligence services of the United States of America and other NATO member countries is in the common interests," Putin said.

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WNU Editor: It's not going to happen.

More News On Russian President Putin Wanting U.S. And Russian Intelligence Agencies To Cooperate Together

Putin says Russian, U.S. intelligence agencies should restore ties -- Reuters
Putin calls for cooperation with West against terror -- AP
Putin calls for open communication between Russian and US intelligence -- NYPost
Putin wants his spies to work closer with US intelligence agencies -- SKY News
Putin urges cooperation between Russian, U.S. intelligence agencies -- New China

A Former Head of Russia's SVR (The Equivalent Of The CIA) Speaks Out On U.S. Intelligence

Putin and Vyacheslav Trubnikov (Office of the Russian President)

NPR: Russia's Ex-Spy Chief Shares Opinions Of His American Counterparts

It's not every day that the man who ran Russia's foreign espionage service offers to buy you a drink.

I'd been chasing Vyacheslav Trubnikov for an interview, when a message landed in my inbox: Hotel Metropol, 5 o'clock.

The Metropol is one of Moscow's grande dame hotels, just steps from Red Square, with polished dark wood, sparkling crystal decanters, velvet armchairs. Trubnikov settled in and ordered a double espresso.

He was born in Siberia and joined the Soviet KGB in 1967. He was immediately sent to Calcutta, India, under cover as a reporter. I asked him, did the other journalists know he was a spy?

"To be frank, everyone who was in Calcutta was considered to be a spy. Everyone. Every journalist," he said.

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WNU Editor: This is a fascinating article and discussion with Russia's former head of the SVR, or Foreign Intelligence Service (the equivalent of the CIA) .... and his insights on intelligence and the NSA are spot on. But the last paragraph of this report is what I felt while reading this brief but captivating post ....

Who would have imagined it, a generation ago: A Soviet spymaster talking tradecraft, with an American reporter not even born when he began stealing secrets for the KGB. And then the two of us shaking hands and going our separate ways, into the Moscow evening.

Inside Russia’s Intelligence Services

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Mark Galeotti, Council on Foreign Relations: Putin’s hydra: Inside Russia’s intelligence services

Far from being an all-powerful “spookocracy” that controls the Kremlin, Russia’s intelligence services are internally divided, distracted by bureaucratic turf wars, and often produce poor quality intelligence – ultimately threatening the interests of Vladimir Putin himself.

Drawing on extensive interviews with former and current intelligence officials, “Putin’s hydra: Inside Russia’s intelligence services” explains how the spy agencies really work, and argues that Europe’s view of them is patchy and based on outdated caricatures.

The paper punctures the myth that the agencies are the power behind the throne in Russia. They are firmly subordinated to the Kremlin, and Putin plays them off against one another. They are not a united bloc but a disparate group, whose solidarity disappears as soon as there is an opportunity to make money or avoid blame.

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WNU Editor: It's about time someone did this story. A good summary (and chart) on who is who in Russian intelligence.

Russia's Top Military Intelligence Chief Has Died Unexpectedly. No Cause Given

Igor Sergun's position as GRU chief landed him on the sanctions lists imposed in early 2014 by both the United States and the European Union, which specifically cited his oversight of "the activity of GRU officers in eastern Ukraine." TASS

BBC: Russian GRU military spy chief Igor Sergun dies

The head of Russia's secretive GRU military intelligence service, Gen Igor Sergun, has died suddenly aged 58.

Expressing condolences, President Vladimir Putin called him "an experienced and competent commander, a man of great courage, a true patriot".

The circumstances of his death are not clear. He became GRU chief in 2011.

In 2014 he was placed on EU and US sanctions lists targeting top Russian officials after Russia's annexation of Crimea, in southern Ukraine.

The EU list said Gen Sergun was "responsible for the activity of GRU officers in eastern Ukraine".

Gen Sergun is not thought to have had direct combat experience when he took charge of the GRU.

WNU Editor: Moscow is very quiet on this passing-away. Just Putin's condolences .... nothing more. My take is that everyone was surprised by his demise .... and this week is also Russian Orthodox Christmas .... everyone is focused on the long weekend.

More News On Russia's Top Military Intelligence Chief Dying Unexpectedly

Russia's top military spook dies unexpectedly -- CBS/AP
Russian Military Intelligence Chief Dies Unexpectedly -- RFE
Head of Russia's military intelligence service dies aged 58 -- Independent.ie/Press Association
Russia’s Director of Military Intelligence Dies Unexpectedly -- WSJ
Vladimir Putin's spy chief dies suddenly aged 58, Kremlin reveals -- Mirror
Russia’s Top Spook Just Died, And Moscow Has Little To Say -- Daily Caller
The Unexpected Death of Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) chief, Igor Sergun -- In Moscow's Shadows
Putin Expresses Condolences Over Death of Russia's Chief Military Spy -- Sputnik

Russia's New 'Spy Ship' ‘Track And Locate’ Gaps In US Missile Defense

The ship was commissioned into the Russian navy during a large naval parade attended by President Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad on Sunday. Pavel Rebrov / Reuters

Moscow Times: Russia Launches Cutting-Edge Spy Ship to Track U.S. Missile Defense

Russia inducted a new-generation spy ship into the Northern Fleet on Sunday during navy day celebrations. The new vessel will be tasked with monitoring U.S. anti-missile defenses on the high seas, a navy spokesman said.

The ship is known as the Yury Ivanov, the lead boat of the Project 18280 intelligence ships designed for the Russian navy. A second vessel of the same class will be launched next year, according to the United Shipbuilding Corporation, news agency RIA Novosti reported last week.

The ship was commissioned into the Russian navy during a large naval parade attended by President Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad on Sunday.

More News On Russia's Newest "Spy Ship"

Russia's New Spy Ship Can Track Sea-Based Elements of US Missile Defense -- Sputnik
Russian Navy Develops New Surveillance Warships That Can Beat US Missile Defense Technology -- IBTimes
Russia’s Spy Ship Can ‘Track And Locate’ Gaps In US Missile Defense -- Value Walk

Russian Spy Station Near Israeli Border Seized By Syrian Rebels

Syrian Rebels Seize Russian Spy Station Near Israeli Border -- Daily Beast

When the Free Syrian Army pushed Assad’s soldiers out of a town south of Damascus, the last thing they expected to find was a Russian spy post, a few miles from the Golan Heights.

Syrian rebels have overtaken a joint Russian-Syrian secret facility that they claim was a covert intelligence collection base. Opposition fighters say the post was used to snoop in on the communications of opposition groups -- and perhaps even the nearby Israelis.

Free Syrian Army officials, U.S. officials, and independent experts told The Daily Beast that the evidence of Russian involvement in the facility, just a few miles from Syria’s border with Israel, if verified, would show a level of Russian involvement in the Syrian civil war that was not previously known. Free Syrian Army officials posted several videos on YouTube showing both the outside and the inside of the facility, which the FSA captured over the weekend during a battle near Al Harah, south of Damascus, next to the Golan Heights.

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My Comment: Reports of joint Russian - Syrian intelligence operations have been circulating for a very long time .... but this is the first time that one of these listening posts have fallen (that I know of). I am also willing to bet that U.S. intelligence is prepared to pay a good price to have possession of that equipment .... if it is still intact.

Russia's Government Reverts To Paper Documents To Avoid NSA Snooping

Russian intelligence is reportedly fond of German typewriters. DPA

Russian Agency Seeks Typewriters For Secret Documents -- Spiegel Online

With the NSA spying scandal still making headlines, a Russian paper reports that agencies in that country have turned to typewriters to help keep their documents secret.

It sounds like a Luddite response to recent revelations from Edward Snowden -- a low tech way to avoid America's prying eyes. Are Russian intelligence agencies going back in time to ensure that their top secret documents stay out of the public eye in this new era of whistleblowing?

According to a report in the Russian newspaper Izvestia, the Federal Guard Service (FSO), which is responsible for the security of the Russian president and several high-ranking officials, is looking to buy 20 typewriters. They would be used to ensure that particularly sensitive documents existed only on paper and would not be electronically archived in ways that anyone with a security clearance could quickly make off with them.

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More News On The Kremlin Embracing Typewriters To Prevent NSA Spying

In the era of cyber warfare, the Kremlin’s Federal Guard Service comes up with the perfect solution to hackers… by ordering 20 good old typewriters for its staff -- Daily Mail
Spooked by NSA, Russia reverts to paper documents -- USA Today
Russia’s latest weapon against electronic snooping? The humble typewriter -- Irish Times
Kremlin returns to typewriters to avoid computer leaks -- The Telegraph
Snowden Scandal Brings Back The Typewriter -- Radio Free Europe
Federal Guards to Buy Typewriters to Avoid Eavesdropping -- The Moscow Times
Putin’s Kremlin uses typewriters to prevent computer leaks -- Washington Times
To avoid leaks, Russia turns to… typewriters -- Ars Technica
The Kremlin’s New Cyber-Security Strategy: Typewriters -- NRO
Why typewriters are all the rage in Moscow -- The Week

The USSR's Electronic Spy Posts Are Still Active

Map: The USSR's Electronic Spy Posts Are Still Active, Eavesdropping on You -- Killer Apps

The world has been somewhat surprised by recent reports of the National Security Agency's massive electronic spying operations around the globe. But they're not the only ones with their ears to the proverbial ground. Just about every nation is engaged in some sort of electronic espionage. Russia, for example, still has an array of massive listening stations, ready to snoop on whoever's talking.

It's a legacy of the Soviet Union, which ran one of the largest of those electronic eavesdropping networks as it tried to gain any intel it could on the U.S. and its allies. Those old Soviet eavesdropping stations still exist. Some are rusting away in former Soviet countries. Others are still operational.

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My Comment:  I suspect that Russia's "Prism Program" is just as sophisticated and all encompassing as the NSA's.

FBI Busts Major Russian Spy Ring That Specialized In Illegally Exporting High Tech Goods To The Russian Military And Intelligence Services

Texas Business Owner Accused Of Being Russian Agent And Selling $50MILLION In Sensitive Military Technology -- Daily Mail

* Alexander Fishenko is accused of using his Houston company, Arc Electronics, to circumvent export rules
* Allegedly sent radar and surveillance systems, weapons guidance systems and detonation triggers s to Russia
* Ten others who worked for Fishenko have also been indicted

A Texas businessman is accused of working as a Russian agent and selling $50million in sensitive military technology to the Russian government.

Alexander Fishenko and ten of his employees were indicted by federal prosecutors on Wednesday on charges they used a Houston-based company to funnel cutting-edge microelectronics out of the country.

Fishenko 46, is a Cold War-era story -- an immigrant from the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan who worked for Soviet military intelligence in the 1980s.

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More News On The FBI Busting A Suspected Russian High-Tech Spy Ring

U.S. Says 11 Exported Technology to Aid Russians -- Wall Street Journal
US charges 11 in Russian military exports ring -- AFP
U.S. breaks up alleged Russian high-tech smuggling network -- Reuters
Feds bust spy ring who smuggled 'cutting-edge' US technology to Russian military since 2008 -- New York Post
Russian Agent Sent Advanced US Military Tech Home: Feds -- ABC News
Eleven charged over 'secret' exports to Russia -- Deutsche Welle
DOJ arrests 11 in alleged illegal export of high-tech goods from US to Russia -- FOX News
Suspected Russian Secret Agent Charged With Trying To Illegally Export American Technology -- Business Insider
U.S. Busts Up Alleged Russian Spy Ring -- RIA Novosti
US court charges 11 Russians with conspiracy to export high-tech electronics -- RT

Russia's Spies Are Watching (And Listening) Each Other

FSB Headquarters on Lubyanka Square, Moscow

Spy Vs. Spy: Wiretapping On The Increase In Russia -- Voice Of America

MOSCOW — Vladimir Ryzhkov has no doubt that he fell victim to a smear operation by Russia's security services.

At the height of the anti-Kremlin protests in January, he and fellow opposition figure Gennady Gudkov, a State Duma deputy, arranged by telephone to meet privately in a downtown cafe. They needed to have an uncomfortable talk about distancing themselves from certain controversial opposition figures.

As it turned out, their little chat wasn't private enough. A mystery third man got to the cafe before them, bugged their table, and clandestinely filmed their conversation. The embarrassing footage soon appeared on the website Life News, a vociferous pro-Kremlin tabloid with alleged ties to the security services.

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My Comment: The more things change .... the more that they stay the same.

Russian Spies In The UK Back To Cold War Levels

Before moving to the United States, Anna Chapman, the glamorous Russian spy, married an Englishman and spent four years until 2008 living in Britain Photo: FACEBOOK

Number Of Russian Spies In The UK Back To Cold War Levels, Say Security Services -- The Telegraph

Russia has as many spies operating in Britain today as it did during the Cold War, security services believe.

Up to half the staff at the Russian embassy in London could be involved in intelligence gathering, a senior source told The Daily Telegraph.

Around 40 Moscow spies are believed to be operating in this country at any one time. Some are involved in traditional state espionage, while others monitor London-based oligarchs or engage in industrial spying for the commercial benefit of Russian firms.

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My Comment: Only 40 Russian spies in the U.K.?

What Do Ex-Russian Spies Do For A Living

Chapman walked for French label I Love Fashion, wearing a studded leather jacket and skin-tight black jeans

From Russia With Love: Former Spy Anna Chapman Channels Catwoman As She Returns To Moscow Fashion Week -- Daily Mail

She made her catwalk debut last year.

And this weekend former Russian spy Anna Chapman made a return to the runway.

Wearing a skin-tight ensemble, the auburn-haired 30-year-old channelled Catwoman as she took to the stage.
She was greeted by rapturous applause by fans who had gathered for the 9pm show, marking day two of Russian Fashion Week in Moscow.

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My Comment: Moscow is OK .... but I suspect she misses New York City (I know I would).