SVR

Russia
Operation new recruits: Russian intelligence targets conscripts and students

The increased human resource needs of the intelligence services has lead them to expand their pool of candidates to include those from the army and universities. These drives are being supported by the adoption of new legislative measures by the Duma.

Kazakhstan, United States
Chevron appoints David Merkel, defender of Kazakhstan's jailed ex-spymaster Massimov

A former State Department official who was close to the Nazarbayev administration, David Merkel has been campaigning for the release of Karim Massimov, who was Chevron's key contact in Kazakhstan.

Russia
Moscow's shadow advisers, intelligence officers and lobbyists lay low

As the hunt for those responsible for Russia's setbacks in Ukraine continues, lobbyists, private consultants and advisers close to the Kremlin, as well as former and current civil servants, are fearing a wave of purges.

Russia, United States
US intelligence got confirmation of Russia's plans to invade Ukraine on 18 January

After regular alerts over a two-month period, American intelligence services were able to corroborate their suspicions about Russia's intentions towards Ukraine on 18 January. It was on this date that Washington was finally able to assemble the trail of clues left by Moscow into a coherent whole.

Europe, Russia
Ukraine war plunges Russian embassies in Europe into uncertainty

Moscow's diplomatic missions in Western Europe, which parrot the Kremlin line on the Ukraine conflict, remain suspended on the fate of Western embassies in the Russian capital. This is despite the fact that, the expulsions of the last few years notwithstanding, the embassies last year were boosted by the arrival of new intelligence officers.

The Intelligence Gazette
Rosfinmonitoring, Pakistan's ISI

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community, this week from Moscow and Islamabad.

RussiaFinancial intelligence gagged

PakistanInter-Services Intelligence Peshawar network slips up

France, Russia, Ukraine
How Paris prepared its intelligence services for the Russian offensive in Ukraine

France was quick to set aside its reservations about the likelihood of an imminent Russian invasion and put its intelligence services and military units on standby a few hours before it started. The main focus was then to make up for its human resource gaps.

Russia, Ukraine
Russian influence activists got busy behind recognition of Donbas republics

The champions of Russia's protection of its "compatriots" - Russian-speaking descendants of the USSR that Moscow is trying to reconquer or keep in its cultural fold - were going all-out to support Moscow's latest moves in Ukraine.

The Intelligence Gazette
SVR, DNI, GKNB, Corinte, Paris and Chinese Intelligence

Appointments, reforms, and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris via Bishkek.

RussiaKremlin explores new foreign policy concept

United StatesSenator Scott Young enlists DNI communications director.

FranceFrench senators point to weak representation in international organisations.

KyrgyzstanBishkek's former spymaster to head embassy in Ukraine

FranceParis wants to join international scene of Chinese intelligence analysis

Kazakhstan
Fall of Nazarbayev's sons-in-law prompts restructuring of Kazakhstan's oil sector

The protests in Kazakhstan have had an impact on the energy sector, which has seen heads roll among those close to ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Russia's SVR is keeping a close watch on proceedings.

The Intelligence Gazette
SVR, Tracfin, Romanian cyber, French prison intelligence

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from Moscow to Paris and Washington.

RussiaSVR awards artists' prize.

FranceTracfin places focus on transparency

USWashington provides close cyber support to Romania

FrancePrison intelligence struggling