employee from 01.01.2022 until now
Moscow, Russian Federation
UDC 351.746.1
In the context of increase of foreign policy tensions and expansion of geography of special military operations, the issue to establish a specialized body capable to counteract effectively sabotage and intelligence activities organized by foreign states has become topical. The author considers the possibility of institutionalizing a modern structure similar to the Main Directorate of Counterintelligence "Smersh", operating in 1943—1946, taking into account the legal, organizational and ethical constraints of a democratic law-governed state. The author substantiates the necessity to establish a new body having got military, intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative and disciplinary powers, operating under the control of state and civilian institutions. Existing challenges including hybrid threats, sabotage at strategic sites, and information and psychological operations are analyzed. The problem of whether such a structure complies with the principles of separation of powers is touched on. The author makes a conclusion related to possibility to establish a new body having the authority to carry out military, intelligence, counterintelligence, detective and investigative activities, Besides, it exercises a disciplinary control over the actions of the army command staff, including in new territories, in the rear and in the territories of other states. This mentioned body is directly subordinate to the President of the Russian Federation and the Security Council. The existence of such an emergency body is possible only if it is fully legally regulated, transparent and accountable to society.
Smersh, counterintelligence, national security, sabotage, hybrid warfare, detective activities, separation of powers, anti-corruption control, special services, law-governed state
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