Putin calls for heightened security amid rising espionage fears
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech on Friday, addressing employees of the special services, whose holiday fell on that day. He called for increased efforts in detecting spies and traitors in the country.
Vladimir Putin urged the Federal Security Service (FSB) to intensify efforts to detect traitors in Russia. This appeal was announced in a special video for Security Service Workers' Day.
Putin, who worked for 16 years in the KGB, emphasized that the special services have always been a solid support for the country. He stated that throughout the country’s "centuries-old history," agents have always acted, overcoming a "glorious and heroic path."
Putin mobilizes the special services. They must urgently seek spies and terrorists
The Russian leader noted that the current generation of security service employees continues the traditions of their predecessors, but the country faces serious challenges. Therefore, the FSB must improve the quality of work in key areas such as counteracting foreign services activities, fighting terrorism, and detecting spies.
The President emphasized that a key task for all services is the fight against terrorism. Additionally, military counterintelligence services are to act systematically on the Ukrainian front.
Putin also instructed the FSB to cooperate with military units in border regions, such as the Kursk region, and to intensify actions against extremism and economic crimes.
According to data from the Russian Supreme Court, the extent of espionage in Russia has reached a scale unseen since Soviet times. The number of espionage convictions in the first half of 2024 increased ninefold compared to the same period in 2023.
In 2023, 39 people in Russia were convicted of treason, and in the first half of 2024, this number rose to 52. Additionally, this year two people were convicted for "covert collaboration with a foreign country". The same number of people were convicted under this article in the entire previous year.
