Новое дворянство. Очерки истории ФСБ

by Andrei Soldatov, Andrei Soldatov, Irina Borogan

ФСБ.
Авторы - не просто профессиональные журналисты, специализирующиеся на теме спецслужб, они еще и прямые очевидцы множества драматических событий нашего недавнего прошлого - от трагедии "Норд-Оста" до Беслана. Тем не менее их исследование далеко от обоих равным образом распространенных идеологических полюсов - как от апологетических славословий чекистам, так и от истерических слоганов типа "ФСБ взрывает Россию".
Солдатов и Бороган опровергают и известное мнение, что нынешнее усиление влияния ФСБ на политическую жизнь России - это признак возрождения КГБ советского образца. По их мнению, нынешние российские спецслужбы - совершенно новый организм, хорошо вписанный в условия "периода первичного накопления капитала", и их преемственность по отношению к КГБ весьма условна.

Genres: Russia, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Espionage, Russian History, Military Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2010

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the fall of Communism, the once great KGB disintegrated and was split up into smaller independent agencies. During the Yeltsin years the FSB (as the KGB became known) was a ghost of its former past, only to rise as the new great powerhouse during the Putin presidency, which it continues to this day. In this book, Andre Soldatov manages to give a good overview of how the FSB was able to rise from its ashes and managed to become the all powerfull Russian state agency..

[Frank Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Communism's collapse caused the KGB to undergo a massive and wretching restructuring (not a bad thing from where we sit in the West). But it has undergone a fascinating resurgence under the leadership of Vladimr Putin. Not all of it has gone well -- in fact, there have been breathtaking disasters as the authors detail in chapters covering the Chechin seiges of the schoolhouse in Beslin and the theater in Moscow (both of which ended with a staggering loss of life). Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan are Russian investigative journalists (and co-founders of the Website agentura.ru) and they have written a unique overview of the struggle of the KGB's successor organization, the FSB (Federal Security Service). What is particularly interesting is how the modern FSB sees themselves as not just a security service but as a defender of Russia's culture. The link to the Russian Orthodox Church is a good example of this focus. And as such, they have, in the words of FSB Director Niolai Patrushev, become Russia's "new nobility.

[Vladimir Boronenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content good, writing poor. Sorry to say that, for it is important to know what is going on in this country.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a frightening account of the ‘Sate of Play’ in Russia at present. But I can’t think that it would be a surprise to too many. Officially the KGB was dissolved in 1991.

Dissolved:
1) To cause to pass into solution: dissolve salt in water ..... and .....

2) To reduce (solid matter) to liquid form; melt ..... or ..... AND, this is the definition I would trump for ...............

3) To cause to become indistinguishable; blend or blur: which is exactly what the KGB did !!

After Word War II, members of the Nazi Party were held to account for crimes against humanity: murder, assassinations, deportation, enslavement, along with many other crimes committed against innocent civilians.

Hitler put around six million innocents to death. Stalin and his cronies beat that figure by about 20 million. Maybe it was decided that ‘group hugging’ was a better way to erase the past 'MISTAKES' made by the 'SOVIET EXPERIMENT'.

Hitlers cronies were stashing loot in Switzerland, like it was going out of fashion in ’44 and ’45. The KGB were doing the same in ’89,’90 and ’91.

I’ve read in other works that senior KGB monsters held numerous passports; namely Israel, Brazilian, and others. They changed their names, fled the country, underwent a little cosmetic surgery (they could afford it) and as blurs of their former selves were allowed to return and blend into society, taking positions in industry, banking, the media, local government, the police - all walks of life.

And the West allowed it to happen. Why?

Where did the billions which left the Soviet Union, in the years before it took its the dying breath, vanish to. From Switzerland I would suggest those billions were washed and scrubbed and used to line the pockets of our BRAVE and FEARLESS western leaders.

And why the sanctions on the current crop of Russian Oligarchs took weeks to enact and after several warnings of, "THESE SANCTIONS ARE COMING," those who would be targeted were then allowed to perform a little jiggery-pokery and side-step any real hurt.

This book puts the meat on the bones. It is a brave venture, clearly written and easily understood. Essential reading, I think. BUT NO SURPRISE.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. Soldatov and Borogan are heroes for doing the work that they do (covering the evolution of Russian state security services under Putin). It's surprising they are still alive, walking free, un-maimed, not in exile but actually living in Russia, and doing this. The number of times they have probably crossed the red line for the FSB is probably high, and yet people are still leaking to them and they're still writing! They're out here carefully describing how the FSB completely botched Nord-Ost and Beslan, carries out extra-judicial assassinations on foreign territory, and has still completely failed to put a definitive stop to terrorism--actually, really only exacerbated terrorism in Russia (though this is unknowable) and tried to spin some paper-thin PR lies to make it look the opposite (naturally, it's Russia). It's hard to read this and not be in awe of the authors on every page.

[Dоcтоr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent!

Highly recommend that you also read the later published book: The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia's Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries

[Jill Cordry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about the Russian secret services after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, it only goes through 2010

[E.A. Amant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A manager at work—we were doing some idiotic back and forth trash talk—shushed me in public. Teasing him, I had said that the island of Malta had been first settled by English retards. He was Maltese. These days, no one likes to hear the word ‘retard’. It was lame, I know, but I retorted with a shout, “Shut up, this ain't Russia!” And standing directly behind me was a Russian emigrant, new to the country, who took offence at my reckless cliché. However, whether naive or not, he knew exactly to what I referred, that by worldwide reputation alone, even from the old USSR days, you couldn't any more voice your opinion in Russia than get a fresh loaf of bread from a government grocery store. I immediately apologized for my deleterious remark and offered my hand. Which he took. He seemed placated, if not bemused; no, I'm not saying he was an idiot, but the truth is, in Russia today, it is as dangerous to speak your mind as it was back in the USSR, maybe even more so, certainly more tricky. Where did he get the idea that I was misrepresenting the reputation of Russia’s culture? Freedom of the press, the right to assembly, the liberty to political free speech and individual property rights are all gone. And my very own angry Russian emigrant was too dumb or illiterate to know it, or he had unfounded and inexcusable nationalistic pride in his unsuccessful society. Nationalism does that. It makes you think in racist requisites: Russian better than Georgian, straight better than gay, male better than female, Christian better than Muslim. This is what you are morally permitted to say about your genetic heritage, “I am proud that I am Somali, Syrian or whoever. We’re the best people in the world!” Sure, and everybody has the greatest doctor. What is unacceptable to say as person from a failed country, is, “We’re the best nation in the world!” That’s like a Moslem or a Christian saying they’re the only true religion. And BTW, Americans should stop saying it as well. Like England, France, Ghana, Costa Rica, or Japan, they can say something like, “We are one of the greatest nations in the world and have proof with verifiable statistical facts; the bonafides!” And they could even explain why, but stop bragging that you’re the best; it’s annoying, Any nation who has to keep saying that they’re the best are not the best. American politicians actually mean, “We rule an empire and you don’t. So shut up!”

Well, anyway, as regards Russia, it is not like those rights were ever there—Western liberties I mean—not for the Autocrats’, Marxists’ nor Reformists’. Russia has never known any real freedom or democracy. Indeed, it may well be the least democratic place in the world. Not the ghost of freedom exists today. As I will explain in the plainest language, Russia is little more than a Mafia state with the homophobic Putin as the not so likeable Tony Soprano, ruling like both the Tsar and a don, and you’re not getting any special favours on the wedding day of his daughters; in fact, he’s divorced and you’re not invited!

Although not exactly book reviews, this article is chiefly concerned with six excellent and diverse books as sources: Darkness at Dawn, D Satter, The Putin Mystique, A Arutunyan, Strongman, A Roxburgh, The Man Without a Face, M Geesen, The New Nobility, A Soldatov and Putin’s Kleptocracy, K Dawisha. These works, and others, are all in general accord: the Putin regime runs a criminal state.

One of the first jobs of thugs is to convince people that they aren't bandits, that they’re marketers and their civil concerns are for the people—and that they’re like regular folks, only with more testosterone. It’s what philosophers say of the ethical disingenuous: “The appearance of morality is the price paid by hypocrites to look good to the ones they can fool.” So, one of the first jobs of the gangster class is to corrupt the police while appearing to the public to root out corruption from this very source. You do this by destroying the whistle-blowers. In the old gulag system, you jailed the dissidents, (i.e. the moral leaders of the country), now in present day Russia you get the free marketers for tax evasion, throw them in prison and steal their property; it’s win, win, win! Anybody who reports it, (journalists, accountants or lawyers), are going to prison for not having the paper work done for the paper-clips they claimed on their tax forms.

The World Bank publishes an annual survey in which it ranks 183 countries of the world according to ‘ease of doing business’. In 2011 Russia came in at 123 – far behind other post-Soviet states such as Georgia (at 19) and Kyrgyzstan (at 44). In terms of ‘dealing with construction permits’ Russia sits in 182nd place, ahead only of Eritrea. Dahlgren—(IKEA’s Russia manager, Lennart Dahlgren, came to Moscow in 1998 and stayed for eight years, battling with the authorities to open the first IKEA stores and ‘Mega malls’. He has since written his memoirs, Despite Absurdity)—wanted to arrange a meeting for IKEA’s owner – one of the wealthiest people in the world, and a man with great enthusiasm for doing business in Russia – with Putin. At first they palmed him off with meetings with a deputy prime minister. Then Dahlgren had an opportunity to discuss the proposal with someone from Putin’s entourage, who told him they didn't think IKEA would really want to have a meeting with Putin. Dahlgren writes: ‘I don’t know whether they meant it seriously or as a joke, but they said: “IKEA is penny-pinching, and the going rate for a meeting with Putin is 5 to 10 million dollars, which you will never pay.” (Quoted from, Strongman); see also the Corruption Index.

Today the lack of reliable contract law, unenforced and without an independent judiciary, has left Russia a complete gangster nation, and not like those American rappers sing about, but one that tens of millions of suffering Russians have to live with day in and out. (For this part see Putin’s Kleptocracy)

The Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti, FSB—Federal Security Service—had grown out of the KGB, Yeltsin had broken the KGB up and pit tax, communicate and security divisions against each other to help dismantle it, or at least in part to lessen its totalitarian power, but after consolidating his control, Putin has reunited them into the general security framework under the FSB or other agencies with no independence but to the executive. (For this part, see, Darkness at Dawn and The New Nobility)

Perhaps the most obvious and reactionary of all of Putin’s draconian measures, has been shutting down any and all independent news organizations. If this proved to be ineffective to shut up journalists, internal detractors or opposition politicians, he has had his critics imprisoned or permanently silenced. They don’t really even much hide it. He is personally, but indirectly linked to the murders of Anna Politkovskaya, Yuri Shchekochikhin, Sergei Yushenkov, Anatoly Sobchak and Alexander Litvinenko. See, List of Journalists killed/murdered in Russia. Under Putin’s rule there have been 30 to 35 (apparent) politically motivated murders of journalists. (For this part of the story see, The Man Without a Face).

Now as for the supreme leader with insatiable greed: “That is the biggest question. In a classical, absolutist monarchy, their chief patron would have been the sovereign, their king and country – which would have been the same thing. But Putin’s Russia, which has many of the trappings of an absolutist monarchy, refuses to see itself as such. The scholar Lilia Shevtsova has underlined the contradictions that this presents: Putin has preserved personified and undivided power, she writes. However, describing Yeltsin’s rule as ‘elected monarchy’ she applies the same metaphor to Putin’s rule, ‘accenting the contradictions between personified power and the elective method of legitimizing it.’ A maddening dissonance ensues: Putin had a theoretical option of ‘building a responsible system of governance based not [my italics] on the irrational and mystic power embodied in the leader but on the rule of law.’ But he either could not, or would not do so. Those words were written in 2004; by 2013 that dissonance has only grown, amid contradictory laws that fail to work and Putin’s constant calls to fight corruption. Why, despite yearly orders from Putin – his personal orders, harsh, determined and ominous – does corruption only grow?” (Quoted from, The Putin Mystique).

Now, I am more than happy to answer this question for everyone. It isn’t just Putin’s hidden assets, no, not the 40 to 70 billion dollars, making him one of the richest people in the world, which it is claimed he has amassed through old-fashioned brass-knuckled theft. It’s something that is hard for the North American or Western European democrat to really understand. It’s the tragic fault in the Russians themselves. To them, liberty is license, a free market is usually dangerous/entirely unfeasible, the press are myth makers/even outright liberal liars, and having sacrosanct private property rights are downright impossible in a country like Russia. Justice is with the Tsar, the motherland, the state itself: uberman, Uncle Joe or Putin, the Boss. For example, here’s some sense of how long in modern history there has been little perceived freedom: “…When it comes to this, [all men are created equal, except Negroes,] I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.” - Abraham Lincoln. 1855. (Quote taken from, The Putin Mystique).

So you see, they've been without freedom for some time, and in fact, the society itself does not give it the same value as in the West. Yes Marxist terrorists hijacked a thriving modern industrialized state, but the Tsarist regime was as ridiculous on its face with serfdom as the communist one was with their countrywide gulag slave system. People went marching to their sentences at the direction of a monarch’s clerk or a Bolshevik’s commissar like the Jews at the direction of a Nazi official. What’s to say to this? Idea and Culture are intimately connected and some cultures are impeded compared to the top democracies, and many failed states call themselves democracies, but of course, this is pure piffle. Yes, you nationalists from failed or failing countries, like my very own angry Russian emigrant, it has got nothing to do with blood! It is brains alone that count; it’s how one organizes society, the proper protection of human rights, an independent judicial branch of government, the separation of powers, free elections and all those splendid creations of the democracies throughout history, despite its many intellectual enemies like Putin, the KGB and the Marxists, (of course, the Religionists are right up there at the top as bitter foes to liberty as well).

In the decade of Putin, the FSB has portrayed themselves in propaganda films like The Special Department as they wanted themselves to be seen, (see, The New Nobility), just as the CIA does in America. Behind the FSB’s rapid growth of power with the ascension of Putin, they have been just as ineffective at fighting terrorism as the CIA. And in regards to upholding an independent judiciary, curbing the mafia-state rising right underneath their feet or bringing real culprits to justice, they have utterly failed, as the KGB did before them. They are lap dogs, a whitewash to Putin’s tarnished throne. They have become another arm of the bandit state, but don’t say, “Poor pitiful Russia!” Nobody is free without effort. The Russian masses' romantic attraction to the state is deplorable and always has been. The people have quietly marched to their passing in absolutely frightening numbers, either with demise by alcoholism or death by authoritarianism. Shame on the Russian Orthodox Church, Russian Nationalists and the Russian Communists, all preaching against democracy like an Iranian Ayatollah. The Great Satan be damned! There is a person for this epithet and his name is Vladimir Putin, and never forget that germ of truth from that old Russian saw, “Half the population is behind bars and the other half are guarding them.”

For the more than 50 links to sources, see, http://eastamant.com/article.php?arti....

[Owlseyes]

"Putin now understands that he was misled before invading Ukraine"

Interview in: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/pu...

Soldatov [still] lives in London.

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2010 I would definitely react differently to this book. But at this time after everything that happened ..... I dont think authors message resonates as strongly.

First, style of writing. I do not know if this is due to translation or something else but style is weird to say the least. Better editor is needed here because some sentences just do not make sense. Also switch from first person to third person to third party commentator is truly narrative breaking.

Second, authors attempts at nature of the new security service, FSB. It is becoming too much of a cliche to portrait the Russian security service as totally inapt. I mean, in country of millions I agree that majority are just bureaucrats and officials aiming for retirement but to say they are all like that..... gimme a break. Also in a country ruled ruthlessly by secret service it seems weird that so many people just manage to get away from them and continue living in Russia, in Moscow. Courts release them, in entire book authors mentioned maybe handful of cases where FSB targets got long sentences. In all other cases they were released by the courts. It does not sound like your standard police state, right? And while authors did get picked up by FSB for questioning on some of the subjects and some of their articles got suppressed I dont see anything so much different from what is done in the West. As far as I can see suppression of anything that goes against main-stream is something that is common for every country - be it in the West or East. As a matter of fact character assassination in West became very prominent during the pandemic years and I can see no difference.

Then we have two outstanding cases that these authors mention and then dismiss instead of going more into details.

First is the case of scientist who was contacting company in UK (London if I am not wrong). So FSB arrests him for selling secrets. Authors investigate this case and hmm, first owner of the building where meetings took place in UK says he has no clue what is going on and that he is not aware of that mysterious company Russian scientist worked with. Then within a month building is sold and owner and mysterious company are untraceable. Authors interpretation - nothing suspicious (!?!). I mean, are you for real?

Second is case of tourist guide and political activist that led tourist into the underground tunnels of Moscow. Apparently there is underground city below Moscow with passages and tunnels connecting amongst other things administration buildings and ministries with subways. Entire infrastructure is very hush hush and protected by dedicated security service. So after a while this activist stands up and says security service is right and access to these tunnels and underground infrastructure is something to keep secret. Author's interpretation - activist sold himself to the government. I guess instead of publishing everything on Internet. Please name me one government that would be ready to disclose all of this information ever. Just try finding above-ground government installations on public maps in any country - they do not exist, and it is for a reason.

Then we get to the subject of surveillance. Again this shows how some views here are a bit dated. Saying that FSB is unique for tracking and collecting data on Russian citizens is ridiculous. It is invasion of privacy and a serious one but just look at what Snowden brought up just 3 years after this book was published. Or level of coverage and data extraction through CCTV in western countries and way that data was used in suppression and character assassination in last few years. Do I have to mention China and their social credit system so adored by the West lately? Or Israeli tracking software that raised so much dust because of the role in shady assassinations in Middle East? If anything FSBs data collection on their citizenry proves that security trends are same in any country. And these are very worrying and disturbing trends but nothing that makes FSB special or more creepy from their counterparts worldwide.

I wont even go into physical oppression when enforcing rule of government (I will abstain from calling this enforcement of the law). Again last few years showed how use of force, even unmarked police forces (Canada and Australia come to mind here) in force against civilians who dared asking questions is not something unique for East, like Hong Kong or Russia or any of the 'Stans. neither is the identification and asset freezing of the "rebellious" elements. Again this just shows trends in the security policies that just get more and more away from standard view of democracy as it existed in 20th century.

Establishment of extradition alliance in the East (China, Russia, various 'Stans) is just mirror image of US extraordinary rendition setup they have with their allies and secret bases established for the very purpose of moving prisoners and losing their track in the official records. So again, nothing weird and not a new concept - various black sites in Asia (South Korea) were used by US secret services for prisoner movement and testing of new approaches in extracting information (same as Russian had their own sites in Eastern Europe or in their Far East).

And when it comes to targeted assassinations this is again something that is done by everyone through decades, from Algiers war of independence, Irish troubles (from period of Black and Tans to 1990's), civil wars in Africa and especially Middle East, and lets mention role played by Bulgarian and Romanian services during Cold War. Everybody does it and everybody lies they don't do it. And these assassinations never solved anything for anyone (Chechnya being one example and Iraq and Afghanistan in 2000's being the other - I wont even mention Israel's war against Hezbollah).

So, besides the description of use of hacker activist groups, authors provide overview of pretty standard security force. Only thing that makes it special in eyes of the readers is that this security force was created in country where OKHRANA, CHEKA, NKVD and KGB (internal security) ruled in shadows and caused so much misery for the Russian people. I had to laugh with authors constant reminders that KGB (when compared to FSB) had limitations and not that much power. I mean, really? Only to move to period of Andropov's rule over KGB which was [hmmm] period when KGB ruled everywhere [how about making your mind on the topic].

Are there issues with the FSB and concerns on its effect on civil society? Definitely. Are these issues specific for Russia only? Definitely not, although Russia has history of secret police apparatus that always acted more on the outside of standard government than other countries. But as recent developments show this gap is getting smaller and smaller and security services everywhere have chosen to meddle more and more in the lives of ordinary citizens to achieve complete control.

Again I do not know if it is because of poor translation of because of the hear-say and not so argumented approach to the subject but book has a very much amateurish and sensationalist feel to it, with more information on who lives where and how did they get rich instead on focusing on the service itself. Corruption in security services always exist (just consider drug enforcement services) but subject here is service itself not people that led it at some point and then left (we are not even given their full biographies). Which is sad considering the very interesting subject. One of the highlights are pretty detailed mismanaged hostage rescue actions during the Chechen conflict. Unfortunately rest of the book is not on pair with these chapters.

Considering there are not that many books on the subject in English language this book provides some of the information. But to call it ground breaking is overstatement. Book suffers from Russian cliches and stereotypes and concentrate more on people from FSB management that are never presented in more detail but in passing way like all readers regularly read Russian news and magazines.

Interesting but hopefully we will get more informative books on the subject in the future.

[John Carpenter]

I have just finished the book. It is excellent. The events of the last decade in Russia are very real, and cannot dismissed or ignored by anyone who tries to be aware of the world situation or Russia in particular. This not a book about "politics"; it delineates the real, important events between 1999 and 2015 with clarity, knowledge, and depth.
Russia has become a totalitarian police state with almost total media control; but it has relatively broad consent-- it appears-- of the governed. The inner circle of Putin, the "siloviki," are mostly KGB agents; it is tempting to call the current "Russia" a "KGB state" or use the current name of the Security Services an "FSB State." As Soldatov and Borogan describe with convincing analysis, this is worse, in the most essential ways, than the old KGB of the USSR. The old KGB was controlled and overseen by a political party, the Communist party, when there were some checks to its actions. The new FSB is accountable to no political party. Only to itself.
Recent statements by people close to Putin show clearly that the current regime is expansionist-- even expansionist with a vengeance. Abroad it relies on its military, stealth, intimidation, propaganda and media control, also ethnic proxies. Russian expansionism today is much like Hitler in Europe in the 1930s. Probably few Americans today know who Hacha was, or where the Sudetens are; but in speeches and "Mein Kampf" Hitler displayed expansionist aggressive intentions clearly for all to see, listen about, or read. Today Putin and his inner circle-- Konstantin Dolgov, Sechin plus a rogues' gallery of nationalists-- also display in unambiguous language expansionist war-like intentions. Parts of Georgia and the Crimea have already been seized, swaths of Ukraine have been effectively seized, no doubt irrevocably. The Putin circle has stated that they want to aid Russian ethnic minorities everywhere they happen to be: Latvia, Estonia, what remains of Ukraine. Russia has declared it is hostile to Europe as a whole, even to its cultural and economic influence on the smaller countries.
The mainstream English-language media-- NY Times, Washington Post and most others--have yet to realize what is happening. They are caught up in the shifts and feints of diplomacy, what Arianna Huffington has called "the media's obsession with balance" ("the pro and con con"). If only more journalists and writers read Soldatov and Borogan's "The New Nobility," they would know more about our real world.

[Davit Petrosyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly interesting book to understand the role of the FSB in today's Russia. It offers valuable insights and important details that shed light on major events in post-Soviet Russia. I would definitely recommend this book to citizens of post-Soviet countries who are interested in security services. I believe readers will find essential parallels and associations with their own countries' experiences.

[Ivan Kapersky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every country has their secret police or agency with the sole duty of protecting and guaranteeing the state affairs. In the book The Nobility: The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB by Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, both are Russian journalist that investigate in detail the transformation of the KGB into what is known today as the FSB or the Federal Security Service.

In the book, both authors narrated in detail how the KGB was transformed into the FSB. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the KGB was disorganized and murky with their objectives. The author explained how the agency, through a series of incidents such as: the Beslan school shooting, the seized of the theater and the 1999 apartment bombings, shape the role of the agency and how they would respond to security threats, organize crimes and political activities.

The author lacks explaining how FSB transformed their ideology or objectives, instead, the author investigates and explains numerous incidents involving the agency and how Putin administers(ed) the agency, thus creating multiple branches and new targets.
I recommend this book as a resource to explore the FBS world and organization, their “missions” and incidents.

[Randa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great book in terms of telling you how the Kremlin works in the eyes of opposing views. You did get some great information. No surprise Russia is a mastermind at coverups.

The reason to why I'm giving it a 3 is the flow of the book. Sometimes it was too hard to understand where it was going. I think that this was translated, but I enjoyed the content, for what it's worth. However, I was happy when I finally finished the book.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for you if you listen to podcasts by FP or CSIS, or if you know things like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and have a interest in Russia in general or the FSB in particular. It's a fun little read.

[Jimbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very important book. Required reading for anyone interested in Russia today.

[Inessa Abramyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

exclusive selection of materials about Russian security services, numerous interesting topics covered.
But the interpretation is too negative I belive

[Natalie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't as bad as I expected—hardly a ringing endorsement, I know, but considering how little I usually have in common with the Novaya Gazeta crowd and their ilk, this book was a lot more reasonable than I expected.

I didn't agree with everything, of course. The introduction references "the West's preoccupation with radical Islam"—it's hardly a preoccupation, if you ask me (two words for you: September 11). The authors also teased a very fascinating thesis, one that I personally share: "The FSB developed an ethos of guardian-ship [sic] toward the state that more than echoes the attitude of the old Tsarist bureaucracy." I was happy someone finally decided to stop pushing the tired old "FSB = KGB" thesis. Spoiler alert, though: the tsarist thesis is unfortunately not developed, and I was left rather disappointed. Especially when they also state, in stronger words, "These changes must not be mistaken for a revival of the Soviet KGB, although many former dissidents, journalists, and even the security services themselves have characterized it as such." They also state "FSB officers now regard themselves as heirs not only to the KGB but also to the secret police that the Tsars deployed to battle political terrorism." Again, it's too bad this thesis ends up being undeveloped!*

Moving on, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the authors do not put my credence in the absurd conspiracy theory that the FSB was behind the apartment bombings in Moscow in 1999 that led to the second Chechen war. They admit that: "Such exercises are typical for Vympel, a special unit of the FSB with the mission of verifying the efficacy of counterterrorism measures at locales like nuclear plants. But it is also the authors' impression that the FSB needlessly bungled the crisis by giving an explanation that raised more questions than it answered."

The authors also discuss the Nord-Ost and Beslan crises and while I felt they were a bit unduly harsh to the FSB, the criticisms they make are, by and large, fair, which is more than I can say for the drivel spewed by the likes of Alexander Litvinenko and Anna Politkovskaya.

From the more domestic operations of the FSB, the authors then pivot and talk about the FSB abroad. My favorite chapter involved the extrajudicial assassinations of Chechens in exile—Chechen rebel leaders were hunted down all over the world. In one infuriating case, the US actually aided Qatar in capturing the Russian officers, which is described in Chapter 16.

All in all, a decent book about modern Russia that presumes quite a deep knowledge of the country (I studied Russian language and Russian history as a student and have read quite a bit about it, so I didn't have any problems; however, if this is the first book you read about Russia, you'll probably be quite confused). It would have been 4 stars if the authors had been more critical of the Islamist movements the FSB has fought against. For example, an Uzbek Islamist movement that advocates the re-creation of a caliphate is mentioned very casually, as if it isn't a threat (I certainly wouldn't want such a movement active in my country, so I can't blame the Uzbek president for feeling the same way).

*Note: I didn't want to beat this point any further, but as a fervent Russian imperialist, I did enjoy the mentions to the Russian Empire in this book. Here's another, also from the introduction: "In 2006, Putin went a step further and signed a decree changing the Russian security services' uniform from green to black. The color of the night has never been popular with the Russian special services, but Putin's decision was driven by historical symbolism—a nod to a moment during the civil war of the 1920s when the White Army, losing its fight against the Bolsheviks, found inspiration by creating units peopled with officers dressed in black uniforms."

[Edward Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for research. While I'd categorize this book as "info read" (meaning that it is not written especially well but it does contain some good reporting and useful insights), this still nonetheless does a pretty decent job of showing how the FSB emerged from the ashes of the KGB. Aside from documenting the greed and sketchy connections of these new agents, the two authors also demonstrate how terrorism (specifically in relation to the Chechnyans) was a relatively new concept in post-Soviet Russia and how the FSB was ill-equipped to deal with it. So reading from the vantage point of April 2025, as DOGE is systematically carving up valuable government agencies here in America, there are some seminal points tendered about preparedness as well as the more sinister human motivations. I wish there had been more of a slam dunk on connections to Putin. The two authors have been forced to rely on anonymous sources for understandable reasons, but it does make this a case of "Trust us, bro" that I tend to find annoying in volumes like this.

[erjan avid reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good insight into how FSB became what it is today - a quazi business-military corporation with wide capabilities.
Putin could not rely on anyone except those he knew from his kgb service.

lots of details that i skipped, one passage that i liked was this: once you let warriors become businessmen - your secret service is no longer strong and secret. Cuz it attracts lots of actual "businessmen" disguised as special agents.

Many FSB agents got appointed to supervise big oil&gas enterprises - they see lots of money going thru and become more loyal to the enterprises instead of FSB.
This is probably the most important insight for me.

There is lots of boring details about Andropov, how FSB tried to hide their huge failures
with Nord-ost and Beslan in 2002-04.
Otherwise, it's pretty insightful read.

[Jeppe Haarsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough and interesting analysis of the role of the Russian security services. It's a very sober read. The author recognizes the need for a security service but points out some of the shortcomings and misdeeds of FSB and other services. Also includes interesting history about the services under Yeltsin's early years when KGB was dissolved and FSB was split up and generally in a state of shock.

[Whissteria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been a difficult book for anyone to write, because the access to research would have been near impossible. As is stands, Soldatov was hustled to Lefortovo any number of times, but luckily released after grilling. It is not the most compelling read, and his subsequent book, "The Red Web" is more engaging, however he does get interesting information across.

[Aniek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting content, horrendous style. The writing was all over the place and lacked a clear narrative - obviously just a bunch of existing articles thrown together. And why, for the love of god, do the authors talk about themselves in third person? Very annoying.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title oversells this book, but Soldatov's, essentially, collection of his reporting covering specific events from the 1990s into the 2000s is engaging and effectively demonstrates how the KGB transformed into the current FSB.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by two Russian journalists, now living in the West; having read this, I see that decision as warranted. In this, the authors uncover the foundation and evolution of Russia’s security services (primarily the FSB).
Founded in 1995, Mr Putin became the FSB’s director three-years later, in 1998; and two-years down the line, he becomes President of Russia.
How and why Putin was levered into the top job is another story, but once there, the KGB man - of sixteen years - who is reported as saying “Once KGB always KGB.” - takes strides to ‘defend Russia from both internal and external threats’. The country, according to ‘the new government’ needs to up its fight against corruption, the mafias, terrorism and extremism. A wide and sweeping goal.
We get to learn how Mr Putin, with the help of a fair few former colleagues managed such a monumental task.
Border Security did need to be tightened and the prisons, they needed a lick of paint. Drugs, racketeering, prostitution, gambling, well, someone had to get a grip of that. Terrorism is a nasty business and that need a strong response. Extremism, well, difficult to define perhaps. Putin and his mates had a try at it. The media and communications in all its forms had a part to play. There is so unwrapped here.
The authors offer a theory on why Mr Putin changed the colour of FSB uniforms from green to black: their view sent shivers down my spine.
I came away from this with the thought: ‘the FSB, it would seem is nothing more than the former KGB; above the rule of law and has as much, if not more, control than the KGB in Soviet days.”
I often wondered why people holiday in places where their is ‘no law, no freedom, no choice’. I shan’t be booking tickets to ‘Putin’s Fair Land’ anytime soon.
There are footnotes, something I was pleased to find, that provide the reference to the sources of a good deal of the information therein.

[Jari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Otsikko on mielestäni harhaanjohtava; kirja kertoo enemmänkin turvallisuuspalvelun tekemisistä kuin tekijöistä. Luettava kirja, mutta asioita seuraavalle ei tuonut varsinaisesti uutta tietoa esiin. Itseään toistavakin oli.

[Kevin Riehle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the perspective of a journalist who experienced the realities of reporting events in Putin's Russia. The book focuses on criminals, prostitutes, and government bureaucrats and their impact on everyday life in Russia.

[Aleksey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Если вас озадачивает название - это, по словам авторов, якобы цитата Патрушева (директора службы): "есть одно важное качество, объединяющее их [сотрудников],  — это служивые люди, если хотите, современные «неодворяне»".

как книга - довольно слабая работа, и по содержанию, и по форме.

[Regulus · Rating 4 out of 5]

книга дает чуть меньше, чем ожидаешь по описанию, но помогает переуложить в голове то, что отрывочно помнится из теленовостей и 90е, и дополняет это интересными и важными деталями. в целом - ничего нового, но это полезно знать

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se lee bien si estás interesado en Rusia y Putin pero no es comparable a un Red Notice o a un Freezing order, porque en estos casos además de ver lo que se produce en Rusia, se vive la situación de muchas personas y hay un hilo conductor.