Russia
NIIRK spymasters scrutinise Baltic and Central Asian countries via state media

The Intelligence Gazette
Austria pessimistic over Ukraine, Russian soft power for Africa summit, Europol reaches out to Kyiv

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

AustriaAnalysts not optimistic about Ukraine's chances

RussiaRussian influence agency supports African journalists

UkraineAsset recovery agency steps in line with Europol

Russia
Russian soft power services and agencies promote Russian unity in North Caucasus and Crimea

Away from the military front, Russia and Ukraine are also waging an influence war, with Moscow trying to foster loyalty to the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus ethnic Muslim republics.

Spotlight | China, Russia
Russian soft power ups ambitions in Central Asia for 2022

Moscow has grand plans for its networks of influence abroad over the coming year, starting with the need to maintain its declining dominance in Central Asia. But these ambitious goals could come up against the situation in Kazakhstan, where India, China and other powers are using their own approaches.

Spotlight | Russia, Ukraine
Kyiv and Moscow weaponise citizenship in battle for influence

The "Centre", the headquarters of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence agency, has long used compatriots for intelligence or influence operations. Ukraine has in contrast relied little on its own nationals or descendants living abroad. But Volodymyr Zelensky now intends to exploit this precious resource.

Russia, Ukraine
Kyiv quietly fuming over Russian memorial to Soviet-era secret agent in Crimea

Being both head of the SVR and chairman of the Russian Historical Society puts Sergey Naryshkin in a position to reinstate a number of Soviet-era intelligence officers and in doing so furthering the Kremlin's regional strategy.

Spotlight | Russia
Moscow shakes up soft power apparatus

Keen to bolster its cultural influence arsenal, the Russian foreign ministry is setting up a department to coordinate its various soft power policies and give a stronger terrain focus to the Rossotrudnichestvo, headed by Evgeni Primakov Jr.

Russia
FSB unit moves into new facility on Black Sea

The Russian government has sent Unit 35960, a cover for the FSB special forces, to a strategic new base were it will be able to cover south-western Crimea and the shores of the Black Sea.

France, Russia
Pressure mounts on French journalists in Moscow

While Russia's borders remain sealed as the country continues to fight the pandemic, some French correspondents are finding it increasingly hard to work there.

Russia
Evgeni Primakov Jr renews Russian soft power as head of Rossotrudnichestvo

An influence tool and relay of Moscow's intelligence apparatus, the Rossotrudnichestvo, Moscow's cultural relations arm, is seeking new opportunities.

Russia
Ivanov, Putin's well-informed environment adviser

Putin's special representatives have come closer into his political and security inner circle in recent years, gaining privileged access to the Kremlin official cable system.

Russia
Before Biden weighs in, Kremlin officials tour asymmetrical war theatres

While the US changes administration, the Kremlin has been consolidating its position as a privileged partner in US zones of interest.