February 15, 2024

Putin's Agents in Sheep's Clothing


Putin's Agents in Sheep's Clothing
Training of a special force GRU unit.  Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Wikimedia Commons

Journalists from the independent investigative outlet The Insider have exposed covert operatives from the GRU (Russia's military intelligence agency) infiltrating Russian activist, human rights, and professional groups. They operate under the guise of human rights activists and filmmakers, seeking access to various international organizations.

In particular, The Insider's investigation discusses Ivan Zhigarev, a member of a highly secret unit of saboteurs from the 29155 GRU unit. This unit, among other activities, has been linked to the poisoning of the Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and the orchestration of explosions in the EU. Known to Russian human rights activists as Ivan Zhikharev, Zhigarev posed as an activist who dedicated his free time to human rights work. At the Moscow Open School of Human Rights, he is remembered as one of the most active volunteers, consistently participating in Forum Svobodnoy Rossii (Free Russia Forum) events, contributing to the working group on sanctions, and advocating for environmental protection and blood donation.

Zhigarev also participated in campaigns supporting imprisoned human rights defenders, attended international human rights forums, and was a member of the chat group for the working group on sanctions against Russia.

Another GRU spy-saboteur, Maxim Rodionov, posed as a "documentary director" for several years. He was a member of the Non-Fiction Film Guild and co-founder of the Tomiris video production studio. According to Insider journalists, the studio served as a cover for organizing events involving international delegations, such as round tables with DPRK representatives, conferences on nuclear nonproliferation in Kazakhstan, and discussions on Russian-Chinese cooperation.

Assuming false identities is not new for Russian special services and law enforcement agencies. For instance, journalists from Mozhem Obyasnit uncovered Alexander Pelevin, who, under the guise of a correspondent for independent media, monitored opposition activists, wrote denunciations, threatened journalists, and had connections with Center E, a unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs aiming to combat extremism.

In a notable case in 2018, provocateurs working for the FSB infiltrated an opposition chat. Through their actions, they fabricated a criminal case about the creation of an "extremist community," with the alleged goal of violently overthrowing the government and the constitutional system of Russia.

You Might Also Like

Bashkiris Protest
  • January 23, 2024

Bashkiris Protest

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Republic of Bashkortostan to support a convicted activist.
Under the All-Seeing Eye
  • January 21, 2024

Under the All-Seeing Eye

The extent of Russia's surveillance may surprise you — and it's only getting more invasive.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

A Taste of Russia

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.
Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
93 Untranslatable Russian Words

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
The Samovar Murders

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
Russian Rules

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955