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| Contrasting Worlds In Ukraine: The CIA upholds democratic values and human rights, while Russia's GRU operates in the shadows, marked by oppression and war atrocities |
When it comes to espionage in Ukraine,
Russian intelligence plays by a completely different rulebook than the U.S.
Here’s the lowdown: Russia’s tactics are all about brute force, chaos, and a
complete disregard for the rules. They mix old-school spycraft—think covert
operatives and hidden assets—with cutting-edge cyber warfare.
We’re talking about disinformation
campaigns that flood social media with fake news, spreading lies to create
confusion. Then there are the cyberattacks that cripple Ukraine’s
infrastructure, hacking into power grids and stealing sensitive government data.
On the ground, Russian operatives lean
heavily on their human assets. These are locals they’ve been grooming for
years, sometimes decades. They are used for everything from gathering
intelligence to stirring up political unrest or even sabotaging key facilities.
And Russia’s intelligence agencies, like the FSB and GRU, don’t shy away from
direct action either—assassination attempts, kidnappings, you name it.
They play dirty, and the moral high ground
isn’t in their playbook. A prime example? The abduction and torture of
civilians in Bucha, where Russian operatives violated basic human rights in the
name of “defending the motherland.” These are the kinds of tactics that set
Russian espionage apart: they don’t just cross the line, they obliterate it.
In fact, I dive into this ruthless
approach in my spy thriller Mission
of Vengeance, where CIA spymaster Corey Pearson and his elite team
run into GRU atrocities in the Caribbean. Russian Spetsnaz assassins, under GRU
command, are deployed to take out Caribbean leaders who refuse to go along with
Russia’s plot to undermine U.S. influence in the region. It’s a chilling
example of how Russian intelligence operates—not just in Ukraine, but on a
global scale. Their tactics are about intimidation and force, no matter the
cost.
Now, let’s look at how the U.S.
intelligence community—particularly the CIA—operates. They’re in Ukraine too,
but their playbook is much more strategic, less reckless. Western intelligence,
especially the CIA, is focused on gathering actionable intel, supporting
Ukraine with the tools and information they need to defend themselves.
They’re not flooding social media with
lies or hacking into civilian infrastructure. They’re providing
behind-the-scenes support to shore up Ukraine’s defenses and help counter
Russian aggression. And while Russia is throwing everything at Ukraine, with zero
concern for collateral damage, the CIA is operating with a much clearer set of
rules—rules that respect human rights.
Note: Actually, both the CIA and Britain’s
MI6 are working undercover in the Ukraine- Read:
CIA & MI6: United in Strategy,
Turning the Tide in Ukraine’s War Against Russia.
The big difference here? Russia’s
intelligence agencies are willing to violate human rights to achieve their
goals. The CIA, by contrast, has strict regulations that prevent them from
engaging in such activities. It’s all about strategy versus brute force, and
respect for life versus a complete disregard for it.
At the end of the day, Russian intelligence sees Ukraine as a high-stakes chessboard, and they’re playing dirty to win at any cost. The CIA and its Western allies, on the other hand, are focused on keeping Ukraine in the game—without burning the rulebook or trampling on human rights. Two very different styles, two very different outcomes.
Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and the author of the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster spy thriller series. Check out his latest spy thriller, Misson of Vengeance.
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