In an eerily timed release, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has published "troves" of photos and videos relating to what they call Operation Ghost Stories, a decade-long investigation into a group of Russian spies living and working in the US. Everything about the release -- the name of the operation, the release on Halloween -- speaks of deliberation. Despite the fact that the alleged spies are no longer on US soil, and no charges can be filed against them, the FBI wants to make sure the subject matter is not forgotten. In the videos, viewers can see a montage of surveillance tapes showing covert meetings, exchanges of documents in the subway, hidden cash troves in gardens and much more. It was, according to the FBI, one of the longest operations in recent history -- and one that lets all foreign intelligence agencies know "that espionage threats to the US will not be tolerated." The term "Cold War" is mentioned quite a lot in the official statement on the FBI's website -- and the infamous "Cambridge Five" are also remembered. Altogether, it paints a very bleak picture: Russia is still the bogeyman, and Halloween is a perfect time to remind everyone of it. Why else would the FBI wait for months before releasing this information? The arrests were made in June 2010, and within weeks all those who stood trial were found guilty of being unregistered agents of a foreign government and swapped for four prisoners from Russia. Now, over a year later, the FBI suddenly decides to make its surveillance material public?
Read more about the methods the suspected Russian spies used, and what they were after, prior to getting arrested. Additionally you can see a video of the story, and leave your comments below.
Federal authorities have revealed that the suspected agents were tasked with gathering intelligence on a broad range of topics including nuclear weapons development, arms control, Iran, and political rumors. The accused agents were not officially connected to the Russian government, and were working in civilian jobs, leading what appeared to be a normal life. Read more about the methods the suspected Russian spies used, and what they were after, prior to getting arrested. Additionally you can see a video of the story, and leave your comments below. Federal authorities have revealed that the suspected agents were tasked with gathering intelligence on a broad range of topics including nuclear weapons development, arms control, Iran, and political rumors. The accused agents were not officially connected to the Russian government, and were working in civilian jobs, leading what appeared to be a normal life.
The arrested agents lived all across the country and according to one intercepted report:
The investigation that resulted in 11 Russian spies arrested for their involvement in intelligence gathering began approximately seven years ago, and just recently led to arrests. The reason such investigations go on for so long before arrests are made is because investigators are trying to track down all of the information and leads developed from the investigations. Additionally, if the suspects are unaware that they are being watched they may unwittingly provide information previously unknown to investigators. It is a giant game of cat and mouse. It is clear that the suspected Russian agents charged in the case have been in the U.S. for a great deal of time, but it is unclear what information they were able to develop. So, feel free to leave your thoughts below.
