Putin’s Intelligence Fiasco: Russia’s Spies Failed in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been labeled as his greatest intelligence fiasco by intelligence expert Calder Walton. According to Walton, Russia’s FSB intelligence agency was ill-prepared for the invasion due to Putin’s management style, which prioritizes loyalty over accurate information.
Walton argues that the FSB’s failure to establish well-placed recruits as saboteurs during the invasion can be attributed to Putin’s reliance on crippling sycophancy. Instead of challenging the president’s views, the agency’s staff sought to confirm them, leading to a lack of critical analysis.
Furthermore, Walton describes the FSB as more criminal than professional, accusing the agency of facilitating money laundering schemes for Putin’s personal enrichment and Russian oligarchs.
Prior to the invasion, Putin heavily relied on undercover diplomats for covert operations abroad. However, the expulsion of many diplomats forced the president to change his approach. Over 450 Russian diplomats were expelled during the first three months of the war, creating a significant setback for Russian intelligence.
To compensate for this loss, Putin had to resort to riskier tactics, such as using unofficial spies and sleeper cells. However, this strategy has not been foolproof, as several Russian agents have been uncovered in countries like Brazil, Greece, Norway, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
Contrary to popular belief, Putin’s KGB past may not be as illustrious as portrayed. Investigations suggest that his role was limited to administrative tasks rather than heroic missions. Former Stasi officer Horst Jehmlich described Putin as nothing more than an errand boy during his time stationed in Dresden.
The failures of Russia’s intelligence operations highlight the challenges Putin faces in gathering foreign intelligence. Expulsions and security breaches have forced him to adopt riskier methods, which have proved to be less effective than traditional intelligence gathering.
In conclusion, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine exposed the shortcomings of Russia’s intelligence apparatus. The overreliance on loyalty and lack of critical analysis within the FSB contributed to this intelligence fiasco. Moreover, Putin’s personal enrichment schemes and questionable KGB credentials raise further questions about his intelligence capabilities. As tensions continue to simmer between Russia and the international community, the effectiveness of Russia’s intelligence operations remains a topic of concern.
