WASHINGTON: In an effort to recruit more Russian officials as spies, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released a video aimed at Moscow’s government personnel, encouraging them to reveal the truth about a system it alleges is plagued by deceitful sycophants.
CIA Director William Burns, in a statement made back in July, acknowledged that a wave of discontent among certain Russians over the war in Ukraine presented a rare opportunity for recruitment, one the CIA was keen to seize.
The agency recently released a video titled “Why I made contact with the CIA – for myself,” posted on social media platforms in Russian. The video depicts what seems to be a Russian official walking through the snowy streets of what appears to be a Russian city.
Почему я пошел на контакт с ЦРУ: Ради себяhttps://t.co/mhQbzet5X2 pic.twitter.com/OpOHh1PQ92
— CIA (@CIA) September 7, 2023
The video’s voiceover, in Russian, states, “I insisted to everyone that it was unscrupulous to distort the truth in reports, but those who rose through the ranks were those who did that very thing.”
“Before I believed that the truth had some value,” the video shows as the actor portraying a Russian official enters a government building, displaying his pass featuring the double-headed eagle emblem of Russia.
CIA Trying to Woo Russian Officials
“Those around you may not want to hear the truth. But we do,” the video asserts before providing information on how to contact the CIA, headquartered in Langley, Virginia. “Integrity has rewards.”
Following significant intelligence lapses in events such as the 9/11 attacks and the US war in Iraq, US and British intelligence agencies highlighted their achievement in forecasting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that they had warned of Kremlin’s intentions well in advance.
Operating within Moscow presents considerable challenges for Western intelligence agencies, resulting in the formulation of the “Moscow Rules” during the Soviet era to safeguard against complacency. These rules have been updated for the contemporary Russian context.
Russia has accused Britain and the United States of supporting Ukraine in an alleged plot to disintegrate Russia and seize its natural resources—a claim firmly denied by Washington and London.
President Vladimir Putin has revitalized some of the influence of the former Soviet intelligence agencies. However, the CIA contends that Putin was inadequately informed about the real situation in Ukraine before making the decision to launch an invasion.
