KCSI Sem­i­nar: Russia’s Shad­ow War

Event Description:

In the three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the modus operandi of its intelligence agencies has evolved significantly. The shock and setbacks of early 2022 are long behind—Russia’s spies and saboteurs are back with a vengeance. Moscow has intensified its covert operations across Europe, escalating acts of sabotage, arson, cyber attacks, and targeted assassinations. From explosions in weapons depots to brazen attacks on dissidents and defectors, Russian intelligence operations are now more aggressive and frequent than at any time since the Cold War. What are the objectives behind this surge in Russian sabotage? How has its intelligence doctrine adapted to the shifting geopolitical landscape? Are there lessons from history that can help the West counter Russian intelligence activities today? In this seminar, distinguished experts on Russian security and intelligence will examine these questions, exploring how Russia’s covert war is unfolding and what it means for Europe’s security.

Speakers:

Sir Laurie Bristow

Sir Laurie Bristow, appointed President of Hughes Hall, Cambridge in 2022, was a British diplomat for 32 years. He served as the UK’s ambassador to Russia (2016–2020) and deputy ambassador to Russia (2007–2010), playing a key role in shaping the UK’s response to Russian intelligence activities. He was also ambassador to Afghanistan (2021) during the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and ambassador to Azerbaijan (2004–2007). Sir Laurie regularly writes and comments on Russia, national security, and international affairs. He is a distinguished fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a senior associate fellow at the European Leadership Network, and a visiting professor at LSE IDEAS. His book, Kabul: Final Call (2024), provides a first-hand account of the UK’s diplomatic efforts and the evacuation during the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Irina Borogan

Irina Borogan is an investigative journalist and author specialising in Russian intelligence operations, state repression, and security services. She has reported on major terrorist attacks in Russia, including the Moscow and Beslan hostage crises, and covered international conflicts such as the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the 2006 Lebanon War. Her work has extensively chronicled how the Kremlin has expanded state control over civil society and strengthened police powers under the guise of counter-extremism. She is the co-founder of Agentura.Ru, an independent platform monitoring Russian intelligence activities, and regularly provides analysis on Russia’s security apparatus for international media. Borogan is also a visiting fellow at the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence (KCSI) at King’s College London. She has co-authored several books with Andrei Soldatov, including The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB, The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia’s Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries, and The Compatriots: The Brutal and Chaotic History of Russia’s Exiles, Émigrés, and Agents Abroad.

Andrei Soldatov

Andrei Soldatov is a leading Russian investigative journalist and security expert who has covered Russia’s intelligence services, counterterrorism policies, and state surveillance since 1999. He has reported on high-profile incidents such as the Beslan siege, Russian covert operations abroad, and the Kremlin’s increasing reliance on cyber operations and influence campaigns in the West. Soldatov is the co-founder of Agentura.Ru, a widely respected watchdog that monitors Russia’s security agencies, their domestic repression, and global influence. He has co-authored multiple books with Irina Borogan, including The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB, The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia’s Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries, and The Compatriots: The Brutal and Chaotic History of Russia’s Exiles, Émigrés, and Agents Abroad. He is also a visiting fellow at the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence (KCSI) at King’s College London.

This seminar is hosted by the King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence (KCSI).