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

Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
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.
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.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

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. 
A Taste of Chekhov

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.
Jews in Service to the Tsar

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.
Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Bilingual series of short, lesser known, but highly significant works that show the traditional view of Dostoyevsky as a dour, intense, philosophical writer to be unnecessarily one-sided. 
Chekhov Bilingual

Chekhov Bilingual

Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 

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