Andrei Soldatov
@andreisoldatov.bsky.social
Author of The Compatriots, The Red Web, The New Nobility, Senior Fellow at CEPA, King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence, editor of http://Agentura.ru telegram: http://t.me/agenturaru
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Here's my video from frozen Kyiv. Temperatures in Ukraine have risen - it's -1C today, with a lot of slush! - but are forecast to drop again this week. Air raid sirens and Russian attacks continue. The Kremlin had targeted *every* power plant, with most hit many times www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxIT...
Ukrainians forced to be imaginative to keep warm amid energy blackout
YouTube video by Guardian News
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Here's my video from frozen Kyiv. Temperatures in Ukraine have risen - it's -1C today, with a lot of slush! - but are forecast to drop again this week. Air raid sirens and Russian attacks continue. The Kremlin had targeted *every* power plant, with most hit many times www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxIT...
The Russian authorities have designated our website, Agentura.ru, a “foreign agent.”
Our mission hasn’t changed since its launch in Sept 2000: to shed light on Russia’s secret services — as I told @nytimes back then. We’ll keep doing it.
www.nytimes.com/2000/12/21/t...
Our mission hasn’t changed since its launch in Sept 2000: to shed light on Russia’s secret services — as I told @nytimes back then. We’ll keep doing it.
www.nytimes.com/2000/12/21/t...
February 13, 2026 at 3:09 PM
The Russian authorities have designated our website, Agentura.ru, a “foreign agent.”
Our mission hasn’t changed since its launch in Sept 2000: to shed light on Russia’s secret services — as I told @nytimes back then. We’ll keep doing it.
www.nytimes.com/2000/12/21/t...
Our mission hasn’t changed since its launch in Sept 2000: to shed light on Russia’s secret services — as I told @nytimes back then. We’ll keep doing it.
www.nytimes.com/2000/12/21/t...
The failure to prevent attacks doesn’t negate the fact that some FSB departments are highly capable (e.g., ORU, the Operative-Search Department). Their work, plus pervasive surveillance and bilateral cooperation with foreign states, lets Russia track down suspects (and get them).
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Sunday that the man suspected of shooting top Russian military intelligence officer Vladimir Alexeyev in Moscow has been detained in Dubai and handed over to Russia.
www.jpost.com/internationa...
www.jpost.com/internationa...
Suspect in Moscow GRU deputy shooting detained in Dubai | The Jerusalem Post
The FSB said a Russian citizen named Lyubomir Korba was detained in Dubai on suspicion of carrying out the shooting.
www.jpost.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The failure to prevent attacks doesn’t negate the fact that some FSB departments are highly capable (e.g., ORU, the Operative-Search Department). Their work, plus pervasive surveillance and bilateral cooperation with foreign states, lets Russia track down suspects (and get them).
“When people today compare right-wing and authoritarian tendencies in Austria and Europe with Germany in the 1930s, it is nonsense. It is rather Russia in the 2010s — and that’s also frightening.”
— Michael Hafner, on Our Dear Friends in Moscow
michael-hafner.at/andrei-solda...
— Michael Hafner, on Our Dear Friends in Moscow
michael-hafner.at/andrei-solda...
Andrei Soldatov, Irina Borogan: Our Dear Friends in Moscow
Vergleiche autoritärer Tendenzen unserer Zeit mit Deutschland 1930 sind Unsinn. Analogien zu Russland 2010 sind treffender.
michael-hafner.at
February 7, 2026 at 10:47 PM
“When people today compare right-wing and authoritarian tendencies in Austria and Europe with Germany in the 1930s, it is nonsense. It is rather Russia in the 2010s — and that’s also frightening.”
— Michael Hafner, on Our Dear Friends in Moscow
michael-hafner.at/andrei-solda...
— Michael Hafner, on Our Dear Friends in Moscow
michael-hafner.at/andrei-solda...
Russia: The Price of ‘Treason’
Irina Borogan and I on a harassing documentary — the FSB’s latest attempt to respond to a wave of attacks carried out by Russian youth — for @cepa.org
cepa.org/article/russ...
Irina Borogan and I on a harassing documentary — the FSB’s latest attempt to respond to a wave of attacks carried out by Russian youth — for @cepa.org
cepa.org/article/russ...
Russia: The Price of ‘Treason’
State security agencies are amplifying warnings to enemies of the state using compliant pro-Kremlin Russian journalists.
cepa.org
February 7, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Russia: The Price of ‘Treason’
Irina Borogan and I on a harassing documentary — the FSB’s latest attempt to respond to a wave of attacks carried out by Russian youth — for @cepa.org
cepa.org/article/russ...
Irina Borogan and I on a harassing documentary — the FSB’s latest attempt to respond to a wave of attacks carried out by Russian youth — for @cepa.org
cepa.org/article/russ...
Incredible sloppiness by military counterintelligence (DVKR), by far the largest FSB department. One would have expected them to scale up protection for top military brass; instead, they spend their resources spying on the military.
More detail here on the shooting of the deputy head of GRU, LtGen ALekseyev. novayagazeta.eu/articles/202...
Deputy head of Russian military intelligence hospitalised after assassination attempt in Moscow — Novaya Gazeta Europe
A high-ranking Russian military intelligence officer has been hospitalised after surviving an assassination attempt at his home in Moscow on Friday morning, Russia’s Investigative Committee has said ...
novayagazeta.eu
February 7, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Incredible sloppiness by military counterintelligence (DVKR), by far the largest FSB department. One would have expected them to scale up protection for top military brass; instead, they spend their resources spying on the military.
Denmark’s Weekendavisen has published a review of Our Dear Friends in Moscow, titled “Bedste fjender” (Best Enemies), focusing on the moral choices that shaped Russia’s recent history.
www.weekendavisen.dk/boeger/bedst...
www.weekendavisen.dk/boeger/bedst...
Bedste fjender
Livsvalg. En tæt vennekreds af liberale russiske journalister fra årtusindskiftet er i dag splittet for alle vinde. De fleste arbejder nu for Putins propagandatjeneste. Hvorfor?
www.weekendavisen.dk
January 8, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Denmark’s Weekendavisen has published a review of Our Dear Friends in Moscow, titled “Bedste fjender” (Best Enemies), focusing on the moral choices that shaped Russia’s recent history.
www.weekendavisen.dk/boeger/bedst...
www.weekendavisen.dk/boeger/bedst...
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Merry Orthodox Christmas from yours truly VVP and his secret services 🎄
January 7, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Merry Orthodox Christmas from yours truly VVP and his secret services 🎄
Thank you to @kcsi.uk including Our Dear Friends in Moscow in your holiday book recommendations —much appreciated.
Jessi Gilchrist recommends "Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation" by @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan (2025).
December 23, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Thank you to @kcsi.uk including Our Dear Friends in Moscow in your holiday book recommendations —much appreciated.
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
🎄 It’s that time of the year when the buzz of work quiets down and we get the time to rest before ringing in the new year — and pick up a book or two.
🥳 If you find yourself in need of last-minute holiday gift ideas, look no further than our KCSI-approved book guide!
🥳 If you find yourself in need of last-minute holiday gift ideas, look no further than our KCSI-approved book guide!
December 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
🎄 It’s that time of the year when the buzz of work quiets down and we get the time to rest before ringing in the new year — and pick up a book or two.
🥳 If you find yourself in need of last-minute holiday gift ideas, look no further than our KCSI-approved book guide!
🥳 If you find yourself in need of last-minute holiday gift ideas, look no further than our KCSI-approved book guide!
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
🎥 Now available on YouTube
Kennan Conversations: The Russian Press & Putin
Michael Kimmage speaks with Irina Borogan and @andreisoldatov.bsky.social , founders of Agentura.ru, about journalism in Russia and how media has changed over time.
Watch the full conversation ⬇️
youtu.be/1Q7fG4z5IGw?...
Michael Kimmage speaks with Irina Borogan and @andreisoldatov.bsky.social , founders of Agentura.ru, about journalism in Russia and how media has changed over time.
Watch the full conversation ⬇️
youtu.be/1Q7fG4z5IGw?...
The Russian Press and Putin with Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov
YouTube video by The Kennan Institute
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
🎥 Now available on YouTube
Kennan Conversations: The Russian Press & Putin
Michael Kimmage speaks with Irina Borogan and @andreisoldatov.bsky.social , founders of Agentura.ru, about journalism in Russia and how media has changed over time.
Watch the full conversation ⬇️
youtu.be/1Q7fG4z5IGw?...
Michael Kimmage speaks with Irina Borogan and @andreisoldatov.bsky.social , founders of Agentura.ru, about journalism in Russia and how media has changed over time.
Watch the full conversation ⬇️
youtu.be/1Q7fG4z5IGw?...
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
The Kremlin’s “willingness to engage in aggressive seaborne operations” is not new, write @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan. “Going back to the Soviet era, Moscow has used ships as a key part of its intelligence operations in Europe.”
Moscow’s Offshore Menace
How the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The Kremlin’s “willingness to engage in aggressive seaborne operations” is not new, write @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan. “Going back to the Soviet era, Moscow has used ships as a key part of its intelligence operations in Europe.”
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
It's that time of year, my notable books list of 2025 publicsphere.news/p/5-notable-...
with titles from @chrislhayes.bsky.social, Victoria Amelina, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social, Vollker Ullrich and @wdavidmarx.bsky.social
with titles from @chrislhayes.bsky.social, Victoria Amelina, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social, Vollker Ullrich and @wdavidmarx.bsky.social
5 Notable Books of 2025
Here are 5 works of nonfiction, which changed how I see and think about the world.
publicsphere.news
December 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
It's that time of year, my notable books list of 2025 publicsphere.news/p/5-notable-...
with titles from @chrislhayes.bsky.social, Victoria Amelina, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social, Vollker Ullrich and @wdavidmarx.bsky.social
with titles from @chrislhayes.bsky.social, Victoria Amelina, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social, Vollker Ullrich and @wdavidmarx.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Nous publions en français un extrait de "Our Dear Friends in Moscow". Andreï Soldatov et Irina Borogan y racontent l’histoire secrète d’une génération brisée, de l’arrivée de Poutine au pouvoir jusqu’à aujourd’hui.
desk-russie.eu/2025/11/30/d...
desk-russie.eu/2025/11/30/d...
Du Kremlin aux tranchées • desk russie
Cet extrait du livre Nos chers amis à Moscou, l'histoire secrète d'une génération brisée décrit le destin d’une bonne journaliste, fougueuse et un brin honnête, mais qui a mal fini.
desk-russie.eu
December 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Nous publions en français un extrait de "Our Dear Friends in Moscow". Andreï Soldatov et Irina Borogan y racontent l’histoire secrète d’une génération brisée, de l’arrivée de Poutine au pouvoir jusqu’à aujourd’hui.
desk-russie.eu/2025/11/30/d...
desk-russie.eu/2025/11/30/d...
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
💬 Kennan Conversations: The Russian Press and Putin
Join us Monday, December 15 at 11 AM ET for a discussion with journalists @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan about their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow.
RSVP:
🔗https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GMIa-v7uS8a2M1iRpXN2yA
Join us Monday, December 15 at 11 AM ET for a discussion with journalists @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan about their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow.
RSVP:
🔗https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GMIa-v7uS8a2M1iRpXN2yA
December 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
💬 Kennan Conversations: The Russian Press and Putin
Join us Monday, December 15 at 11 AM ET for a discussion with journalists @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan about their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow.
RSVP:
🔗https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GMIa-v7uS8a2M1iRpXN2yA
Join us Monday, December 15 at 11 AM ET for a discussion with journalists @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan about their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow.
RSVP:
🔗https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GMIa-v7uS8a2M1iRpXN2yA
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
📅 December Events at the Kennan Institute
A full month of discussions with @michaelthumann.bsky.social , @bennathanson.bsky.social , @jilldougherty.bsky.social , Stephen Erlanger, Irina Borogan, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and S. Frederick Starr.
A full month of discussions with @michaelthumann.bsky.social , @bennathanson.bsky.social , @jilldougherty.bsky.social , Stephen Erlanger, Irina Borogan, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and S. Frederick Starr.
December 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
📅 December Events at the Kennan Institute
A full month of discussions with @michaelthumann.bsky.social , @bennathanson.bsky.social , @jilldougherty.bsky.social , Stephen Erlanger, Irina Borogan, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and S. Frederick Starr.
A full month of discussions with @michaelthumann.bsky.social , @bennathanson.bsky.social , @jilldougherty.bsky.social , Stephen Erlanger, Irina Borogan, @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and S. Frederick Starr.
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
"Our Dear Friends in Moscow," by Irina Borogan and
@andreisoldatov.bsky.social, is a @foreignaffairs.com Best Book of 2025! bit.ly/48sZzXc
Two Russian journalists tell the story of their generation, from the optimism of the 1990s to today's world of autocracy, fear, and betrayal.
@andreisoldatov.bsky.social, is a @foreignaffairs.com Best Book of 2025! bit.ly/48sZzXc
Two Russian journalists tell the story of their generation, from the optimism of the 1990s to today's world of autocracy, fear, and betrayal.
The Best of Books 2025
The very best of the hundreds of books on international politics, economics, and history that were featured in the magazine this year, selected by Foreign Affairs’ editors and book reviewers.
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"Our Dear Friends in Moscow," by Irina Borogan and
@andreisoldatov.bsky.social, is a @foreignaffairs.com Best Book of 2025! bit.ly/48sZzXc
Two Russian journalists tell the story of their generation, from the optimism of the 1990s to today's world of autocracy, fear, and betrayal.
@andreisoldatov.bsky.social, is a @foreignaffairs.com Best Book of 2025! bit.ly/48sZzXc
Two Russian journalists tell the story of their generation, from the optimism of the 1990s to today's world of autocracy, fear, and betrayal.
“Our Dear Friends in Moscow” is among the top three on @foreignaffairs.com’ The Best of Books 2025!
www.foreignaffairs.com/lists/best-b...
www.foreignaffairs.com/lists/best-b...
The Best of Books 2025
The very best of the hundreds of books on international politics, economics, and history that were featured in the magazine this year, selected by Foreign Affairs’ editors and book reviewers.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“Our Dear Friends in Moscow” is among the top three on @foreignaffairs.com’ The Best of Books 2025!
www.foreignaffairs.com/lists/best-b...
www.foreignaffairs.com/lists/best-b...
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Russia’s shadow fleet is already destabilizing European countries, and these vessels may eventually “provide a launch point for offensive operations in Europe,” warn @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan.
Moscow’s Offshore Menace
How the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Russia’s shadow fleet is already destabilizing European countries, and these vessels may eventually “provide a launch point for offensive operations in Europe,” warn @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan.
Moscow’s Offshore Menace
Irina Borogan and I on how the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe — and the growing role of the sea in its sabotage operations, for @foreignaffairs.com
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Irina Borogan and I on how the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe — and the growing role of the sea in its sabotage operations, for @foreignaffairs.com
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Moscow’s Offshore Menace
How the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Moscow’s Offshore Menace
Irina Borogan and I on how the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe — and the growing role of the sea in its sabotage operations, for @foreignaffairs.com
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Irina Borogan and I on how the shadow fleet enables Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe — and the growing role of the sea in its sabotage operations, for @foreignaffairs.com
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Putin to End Hostilities? Think Again | "Ukraine may be Russia’s primary military target but the regime has a much broader range of enemies." @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan
Putin to End Hostilities? Think Again
Ukraine may be Russia’s primary military target, but the regime has a much broader range of enemies, such as NATO.
cepa.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Putin to End Hostilities? Think Again | "Ukraine may be Russia’s primary military target but the regime has a much broader range of enemies." @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan
Reposted by Andrei Soldatov
Soldatov and Borogan's "Our Dear Friends in Moscow" is well worth reading as a memoir of dictatorial consolidation...and the crucial importance of history and political culture in allowing it to happen. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/puti...
Putins All the Way Down
How Russia was remade.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Soldatov and Borogan's "Our Dear Friends in Moscow" is well worth reading as a memoir of dictatorial consolidation...and the crucial importance of history and political culture in allowing it to happen. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/puti...
Our report on Russian sabotage warfare mindset is out.
The Kremlin’s primary goal is the regime’s survival, not Russian national security. To secure its grip on power, Russia has adopted Shadow Warfare, using sabotage, covert influence, and violence to achieve its political and military goals.
cepa.org/comprehensiv...
cepa.org/comprehensiv...
War Without End: Russia’s Shadow Warfare
To secure its grip on power, Russia adopts Soviet practices coupled with modern tactics of covert influence, violence, and manipulation.
cepa.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Our report on Russian sabotage warfare mindset is out.
Thankful to the New Books Network for the chance to discuss Our Dear Friends in Moscow in depth.
The full conversation is here:
newbooksnetwork.com/our-dear-fri...
The full conversation is here:
newbooksnetwork.com/our-dear-fri...
Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov, "Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation" (PublicAffairs, 2025) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Thankful to the New Books Network for the chance to discuss Our Dear Friends in Moscow in depth.
The full conversation is here:
newbooksnetwork.com/our-dear-fri...
The full conversation is here:
newbooksnetwork.com/our-dear-fri...
Grateful for recent attention to Our Dear Friends in Moscow — from Joshua Yaffa’s review in Foreign Affairs, Fareed Zakaria’s newsletter, Ben Smith’s recommendation in Semafor, and a thoughtful piece by Mark Dubbs on his Substack.
November 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Grateful for recent attention to Our Dear Friends in Moscow — from Joshua Yaffa’s review in Foreign Affairs, Fareed Zakaria’s newsletter, Ben Smith’s recommendation in Semafor, and a thoughtful piece by Mark Dubbs on his Substack.