CIA releases video to recruit Russian spies.

The CIA Launches Recruitment Campaign Targeting Disenchanted Russians

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has launched a new recruitment campaign aimed at Russians who are disillusioned with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russian culture. The campaign includes the launch of a new CIA channel on Telegram, a popular platform for uncensored news in Russia. The first published video on the channel concludes with information regarding how to contact the agency securely and privately. The CIA’s official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube had posted the video as well.

Targeting Russians in Critical Industries

The CIA is looking for Russians who work in critical industries and who have access to important information to come forward. The agency feels that doubt, a lack of direction, and persecution are what Russians are going through and what could persuade Russians to become assets for U.S. sources. The group of Russians that the CIA estimated to number in the hundreds or even tens of thousands, both inside and outside of Russia, and who may have important information to contribute, is the target demographic. They are trying to reach Russians who work in industries like cybersecurity, tech, banking, the military, and diplomacy, who are not emotionally involved in the ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and Russian intelligence agencies, according to the officials.

Demystifying the Procedure for Contacting the CIA

The video is intended to reach out to people who may be on the fence, and to “demystify” the procedure for contacting the CIA. The agency contended that it draws on “timeless” themes that have long persuaded disillusioned Russians to contact the CIA. However, it does not specifically address Putin or the conflict in Ukraine, in part because it would be “redundant.”

Encouraging Success

The intelligence agency was encouraged to make a more aggressive push with this recent video after seeing some success last year with their initial effort in trying to connect with potential Russian informants. According to David Marlowe, the CIA’s director of operations, the U.S. intelligence community had been “open for business” since Russia started its conflict with Ukraine in February of last year.

• The CIA is looking for Russians who work in critical industries and who have access to important information to come forward.
• The video is intended to reach out to people who may be on the fence, and to “demystify” the procedure for contacting the CIA.
• The intelligence agency was encouraged to make a more aggressive push with this recent video after seeing some success last year with their initial effort in trying to connect with potential Russian informants.