Another in our series of translations of timely and relevant Carnegie Politika articles. Patrols Again: How Serious is Syria's New Rapprochement with Russia? 29 August 2025 Nikita Smagin Summary: The Al-Sharaa government is interested in establishing control over the entire territory of Syria. And over time, the Russian presence will become an obstacle to this,Continue reading "Patrols Again: How Serious is Syria’s New Rapprochement with Russia? – Carnegie Politika"
1979: More Bizarre KGB Warnings of Hostile Acts During 1980 Moscow Olympics
In 1979, the KGB continued sounding the klaxon regarding the nightmare scenarios they were busy uncovering in terms of hostile activities that would encompass the 1980 Olympic Games, doing irreparable harm to the Soviet Union's otherwise pristine image. As we noted in our earlier post about the 1978 version of conspiracy theories, some of thisContinue reading "1979: More Bizarre KGB Warnings of Hostile Acts During 1980 Moscow Olympics"
1941: Soviet Agent Reports West Wants USSR to Declare War on Japan to Open Military Bases in Far East for the Americans
A brief Top Secret cipher telegram was sent by Soviet agent VADIM from London on 10 December 1941, three days after the US naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. The report cites an 8 December wire sent by Halifax, in which he outlines a conversation with US Assistant Secretary of State DeanContinue reading "1941: Soviet Agent Reports West Wants USSR to Declare War on Japan to Open Military Bases in Far East for the Americans"
1978 KGB Classified Document Pushes Bizarre Warnings Ahead of 1980 Moscow Olympic Games
We've all seen our share of crazy-pants conspiracy theories over the past decade, but they all pale in comparison to the dossier compiled by Yuriy Andropov's KGB in 1978 during the run-up to the Moscow-held 1980 Olympics. The Top Secret report, “Concerning plans of Western intelligence services and foreign anti-Soviet organizations in connection with theContinue reading "1978 KGB Classified Document Pushes Bizarre Warnings Ahead of 1980 Moscow Olympic Games"
1977 Top Secret KGB Document on Amnesty International’s Anti-Soviet Tendencies – “Just Ignore Them”
The following is the translation of a declassified Top Secret paper written by KGB Chairman Yuriy Andropov and Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Gromyko, addressed to the Central Committee of the CPSU: "Concerning measures in connection with the anti-Soviet aspirations in the activities of Amnesty International," dated 7 June 1977. Top Secret SPECIAL FOLDERContinue reading "1977 Top Secret KGB Document on Amnesty International’s Anti-Soviet Tendencies – “Just Ignore Them”"
Russian Ministry of Defense Cancels Navy Missile Closure Activities Slated for 27-31 August
On 22 August 2025, TranslatingHistory reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense had filed a large maritime closure area that would stretch from Muransk into the Arctic, to be used for missile launches from 27 to 31 August. Yesterday, 25 August 2025, that closure area was cancelled with no further explanation. Postponements of such maritimeContinue reading "Russian Ministry of Defense Cancels Navy Missile Closure Activities Slated for 27-31 August"
Top Secret 1945 Document Reveals Soviet Censors Ordered to Confiscate Mailed “Objectionable” Photographs of War Invalids
There are few testimonies and fewer photographs left about the life of Soviet disabled front-line soldiers after the war. This is a consequence of the near-total purge of the information by the NKVD: images and texts compromising the Soviet government were removed from everywhere, including personal correspondence. Even casual students of the history of theContinue reading "Top Secret 1945 Document Reveals Soviet Censors Ordered to Confiscate Mailed “Objectionable” Photographs of War Invalids"
Two German Spies Alert the Soviets to Germany’s War Preparations: Alta, Ariyets, and Barbarossa
On December 29, 1940, a decrypted report from Berlin landed on Stalin's desk. “Meteor,” a resident of the intelligence directorate of the Red Army General Staff reported from Berlin: “‘Alta’ has reported that Hitler gave the order (learned from ‘Ariyets’ in highly informed circles) on preparations for war with the USSR, which is planned toContinue reading "Two German Spies Alert the Soviets to Germany’s War Preparations: Alta, Ariyets, and Barbarossa"
Cosmonauts to Brezhnev in Top Secret 1965 Letter: Soviet Woes and US Gains in Space
On 22 October 1965, a letter was sent to Leonid Brezhnev about the challenges facing the Soviet Union's once all-powerful space program. The letter that hit Brezhnev's desk was probably worth his attention for two reasons: first, it carried the classified "Top Secret," and second, it was signed by seven cosmonauts, well-known across the globeContinue reading "Cosmonauts to Brezhnev in Top Secret 1965 Letter: Soviet Woes and US Gains in Space"
Barents Sea Area Closures Reach the Arctic for Russian Navy Missile Launches Scheduled for 27-31 August 2025
On 22 August 2025, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense filed a large maritime closure area that stretches from Murmansk, across the Barents, and into the Arctic to ensure safe lanes for missile launches from 27 to 31 August, with a local time window of 0300-2100 GMT each day. While the Russian-issued advisory offered noContinue reading "Barents Sea Area Closures Reach the Arctic for Russian Navy Missile Launches Scheduled for 27-31 August 2025"
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