December 28, 2022

The Threat from Abroad


The Threat from Abroad
The Lubyanka building, Moscow. Alexander Savin, Wikimedia Commons.

In Russia there is growing concern about the threat from spies and saboteurs.

On December 20, in a congratulatory speech to celebrate Security Agency Workers Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the security services should intensify their work against new risks and threats. In particular, he called on counterintelligence services to hunt for spies and saboteurs, and constantly control places for mass gatherings of citizens, strategic facilities, transport, and energy infrastructure. 

“Maximum concentration of forces is required now from counterintelligence services. It is necessary to suppress the actions of foreign special services, and to promptly identify traitors, spies, and saboteurs,” Putin said.

The notion of catching spies and saboteurs is becoming more acute. A few days ago in Irkutsk, billboards appeared with a unique method for uncovering Ukrainian “spies” among one's friends

The billboards propose using the words “Syktyvkar" (the capital of Komi Republic) and "Bashkortostan" (the republic located between Volga and the Ural mountains) to ferret out spies. Allegedly, the words are shibboleths: so difficult to say that only a true Russian could pronounce them correctly.

Sabotage is also being actively discussed in the Duma, where, on December 21, a package of “anti-sabotage” amendments were made to the Criminal Code. Three new articles will appear: 281.1 (“Aiding sabotage”), 281.2 (“Training for the purposes of sabotage”), and 281.3 (“Organizing or taking part in a sabotage organization”).

Recruiting and persuading a person to take part in sabotage will be punishable by eight to 15 years in prison. Aiding sabotage will lead to ten to 20 years. And organizing or sponsoring it will have a sentence of 15–20 years. In all cases, a sentence can be increased to life in prison.

These developments demonstrate a ratcheting up of the already extensive paranoia common since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

You Might Also Like

Hold Your Tongue
  • December 19, 2022

Hold Your Tongue

The State Duma began reviewing a new law that would restrict the use of foreign loan words in official Russian communications.
Dangerous Dreams
  • December 23, 2022

Dangerous Dreams

Russians are being fined for their dreams, "likes," and "silent support."
Azov, a New Terror?
  • August 12, 2022

Azov, a New Terror?

While resisting Russian forces in the invasion of Ukraine, the Azov Regiment has been declared a terrorist organization by the Russian Supreme Court. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

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.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

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.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

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.

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