Study: Russian espionage activities focus on political information
Security Police report indicates companies and research institutes used as cover
|
|
Russian foreign intelligence still concentrates on politics and military secrets in its espionage activities. It does not focus on advancing Russia’s economic interests, as has previously been assumed.
These are the findings of researcher Matti Lauha’s report “Intelligence and Russia’s interests” commissioned by the Finnish Security Police (SUPO).
Lauha is a former SUPO situation centre duty officer, who now works for the Ministry of Defence.
According to Lauha’s report, the main goals of Russian espionage activities around the world are strategic, rather than being economically motivated.
Foreign policy decision-making machinery, the armed forces, and other security forces are the primary targets in Europe as well as in the United States, the report establishes.
Even in the realm of economic and technological espionage Russia seeks to gain information on inventions related to military technology, and on economic decision-making.
The main geographic targets of Russia’s espionage are the countries on its western border, plus the United States and Canada, and within Asia Japan is a particular focus. During the Soviet era, espionage resources were allocated to Africa as well, but of late such activities have subsided there and also in South America.
The report focuses on the fact that Sergei Lebedev, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SRV) in 2000-2007, had acquired operative work experience both in the United States and in Europe.
Tussia has concentrated the great thrust of it espionage efforts on the U.S. decision-making machinery, by penetrating into the security bodies in particular, the report notes.
As cover, Russia mostly uses its embassies, consulates, and other establishments that provide diplomatic immunity. Typical cover professions for Russian spies are researcher, reporter, or businessman.
A number of research establishments and companies are seen as providing a front for such activities. "Illegals" are also used - people who either create or steal an identity enabling them to pass as a member of the population of a target country.
The most common cover profession, however, remains being a member of the diplomatic corps.
Finland, for one, deports two to three Russian diplomats every year, SUPO directors have revealed in interviews.
At least some of the deportations have taken place because of espionage suspicions. Few of these cases actually leak into the public domain, as SUPO ensures the only people privy to the information are members of the political elite.
During the term of the report - examining exposed cases of Russian spying between 1992 and 2006 - there were just two publicly-recorded Finnish cases of people spying on behalf of Russia: one Foreign Ministry official was found to have passed on sensitive EU documents and two Russian "illegals" were caught on entry to Finland while en route to London.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 29.9.2008 - TODAY |
 Study: Russian espionage activities focus on political information |
|
