Since the end of the Cold War, Russian spies have increased their activity in the United States. Even influencing the summit of the world’s largest democracy. This Sunday at 9:05 p.m., France 5 broadcasts the documentary “Operation Trump – Russian spies conquering America”.
Since the 2016 presidential elections, there is no longer the slightest doubt. Russia has invited itself to the highest level of American power. Moles, spies, lobbyists… constitute an army infiltrated on United States soil. Known to everyone or hidden for years under the cover of false identities, they work in the service of the Kremlin out of ideology, fascination or greed. On the eve of the November 5 election, the shadow of Moscow once again hangs over the White House.
«The Americans»
An enlightening example to start with. November 10, 2010 is a special day for Tracey and her husband Donald: their eldest son Tim is 20 years old. Small Indian restaurant as a starter then Tim and his brother Alex will have free time for the evening. The family returns home to Cambridge, near Boston. Champagne, then the boys go upstairs to get ready. They don’t imagine for a second what will follow. Hubbub in the entrance hall, shouts on the stairs, armed men. With their hands raised, the two brothers see their parents handcuffed and then taken separately into black vehicles. Tracy and Donald Heathfield-Foley’s real names are Elena Vavilova and Andrei Bezrukov. They were spotted during their studies in Siberia by the KGB, the Soviet intelligence services. After training as spies, they were sent to Canada under the names of two children who died at a young age. Shortly after the birth of their sons, they moved to the United States.
The “moles”
For twenty years, they lived like a normal American family. She is a real estate agent, he is active in business consulting companies. But above all, both work for the Russian foreign secret services. They are what we call “moles.” They are not the only ones in this situation.
The “Putinosphere”
“Disguised as diplomats, professors, journalists or students, they build networks, recruit agents and mount special operations that the Russians call “active measures”. This is how the French historian Laurence Saint-Gilles describes these moles and the Russian intelligence officers in the magazine Desk Russia, specialist in information and analysis on Russia and the countries of the former USSR. To blend in, they have been living in the United States for many years and sometimes have nationality. Their mission: to build networks, recruit agents, advance Russian foreign policy objectives and influence events in foreign countries. The press regularly reports on the arrests of these spies. Among the most publicized: the Bezrukov-Vavilova couple (who were entitled to their TV series called “The Americans”), Anna Chapman (aka “the new Mata Hari”) or the sleeper agent Jack Barsky. The “Putinosphere” is much wider than this restricted circle.
Putin fans
It is also made up of American citizens, agents. They agree to deliver secret information for a fee. Laurence Saint-Gilles also lists those she calls “agents of influence”. In their case, there is no question of remuneration. They often act out of ideological sympathy. Unless it is out of veneration of the character Putin. This is particularly the case for certain journalists. The late Larry King (1933-2021), made famous by his interviews (and his suspenders) on CNN, then moved with all his fame to the Russian news media RT America. Tucker Carlson, an unconditional admirer of President Putin, was active on Fox News for six years.
Trump spotted
Donald Trump (and the Trumpists of the Republican Party) have also fallen under the spell of the master of the Kremlin. According to the British daily The Guardian, he was spotted by the KGB forty years ago. A former Russian agent testifies that he had the feeling at the time that the businessman was “extremely intellectually and psychologically vulnerable and that he was sensitive to flattery”. The Soviet intelligence service then suggested that he pursue a political career. We know what happened to it.
Russiagate
Russian interference in the 2016 elections has been proven (hacking of sensitive Democratic Party emails, distribution of embarrassing documents, etc.). But the investigation into “Russiagate” (the Russian affair) failed to formally demonstrate collusion between Moscow and the American billionaire. It is, however, clear that the policy pursued by him as soon as he arrives at the White House is largely favorable to the Kremlin’s views and timetable. “America, which today measures the extent and price of compromises, will long be haunted by “the specter of 2016,” concludes French historian Laurence Saint-Gilles. When we see the position of certain Republican representatives regarding the war in Ukraine, is it really that certain?
