The first interview of the head of the most secret department of Russia
These very private topics were touched upon in an exclusive conversation with a RG correspondent by the head of the General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, Colonel-General Alexander Shlyakhturov.
Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Alexander Vasilyevich, in Soviet times, the vector of military intelligence was directed towards the NATO bloc, which we considered a possible adversary. Now the situation in the world has changed. Whom do we now consider enemies, and whom - allies?
Alexander Shlyakhturov: You correctly noticed that during the Cold War, the global confrontation with the West, the terms "enemy" or "probable enemy" were widely used. By these were meant individual countries or blocs. Now this terminology is not used in military intelligence. Now we are talking about threats that have become more diversified and multi-vector. And, of course, about the sources of these threats.
RG: Do terrorists treat them or is the GRU "fighting" only with the military?
Shlyakhturov: Terrorist and extremist organizations are the most dangerous. After all, their actions are distinguished by extreme cruelty, and the attacks are committed in peacetime.
Therefore, in our work we pay special attention to obtaining proactive intelligence information about the plans and actions of such groups against Russia. This is necessary for the timely adoption of measures, including the use of force, which neutralize terrorist threats.
Specifically, using the capabilities of intelligence, we control the situation in those areas where our country may be attacked or organized military actions against Russia.
RG: There are many such regions? For example, Georgia applies to them?
Shlyakhturov: It is well known that the Russian special services do not like Georgia very much. They are accused of organizing subversive actions against a sovereign state. I can responsibly say - this is absolutely not true.
But in Tbilisi they should know: in the case of the preparation of new military provocations against Russia and its allies in the region, the GRU will inform the military and political leadership of the country about them in a timely manner. The answer will follow immediately.
Now for the partnership in the work of special services of different countries. The reduction in the level of military-political confrontation in the world, the deepening of cooperation between states, the emergence of common challenges and threats contributed to the expansion of such interaction. The GRU is involved in this process and cooperates with the military intelligence services of many countries. At meetings with colleagues from foreign intelligence services, we exchange views and assessments of the situation in the world and individual regions. We have established cooperation in the military-technical and other areas.
I want to say that such cooperation helps to receive information to supplement our information. And also, it is easier to communicate to the partners the position of the GRU, to frankly discuss issues on which the positions of the parties do not coincide. When intelligence agencies understand each other well, it reduces the likelihood of misunderstanding at the interstate level. And sometimes even prevents the aggravation of bilateral relations.
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RG: Frankly speaking, I did not think that the GRU paid so much attention to foreign partners. Other functions of military intelligence also changed?
Shlyakhturov: Yes and no. Of course, we solve our traditional tasks. But along with this, we are actively engaged in new areas.
Now there is an increase in factors of instability and uncertainty. There is an increase in conflict potential in many regions. The influence of economic problems on politics is noticeable. There are new challenges and threats associated with the struggle for natural resources, the proliferation of nuclear technologies, and man-made disasters.
Therefore, one of our main tasks is to obtain information not only in the military, military-political, military-technical fields, but also in the military-economic and environmental spheres. The GRU's special attention zone is the opening of threats to the national interests and military security of Russia.
Information should not just be obtained, but also analyzed in order to know what to report to the highest state and military leadership of the country.
RG: But it is generally accepted that military intelligence primarily works in the interests of the army leadership.
Shlyakhturov: It really is. The intelligence support of the Armed Forces is our main task. The GRU constantly sends information on the armies of foreign states, their weapons and military equipment to the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and other military command and control bodies. In addition, we collect information about the equipment of military theaters adjacent to Russia. We are working on other issues that arise in the preparation of plans for the use of the Armed Forces, construction and development of our army and fleet.
RG: President of the country are preparing such reports?
Shlyakhtur: Let's immediately clarify the status of the GRU. The General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff is a foreign intelligence body working in the interests of the Ministry of Defense and the state’s military organization. Therefore, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff personally set me the task of obtaining specific information. All tasks are performed on time.
The most important documents of the GRU are sent to the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister and the Security Council. Our information is taken into account when making decisions in the field of foreign and military policy. In other words, the GRU is working to protect and strengthen the positions of Russia, including in the international arena.
RG: Has the geography of your interests somehow changed? Or is military intelligence still active around the globe?
Shlyakhturov: This is not entirely true, because the capabilities of any intelligence services are limited. Yes, and there is no need - to always be everywhere.
I would like to stress once more that the regions where the threats to the national interests and the military security of Russia come from or may come from are primarily in the field of our interests. These include the so-called “hot spots”, where terrorist and extremist groups operate, areas of crisis situations affecting international stability and security, as well as sources and possible routes of illicit proliferation of nuclear materials and components weapons mass destruction.
Attention to a particular area depends on the state priorities of Russia. Therefore, periodically there is a redistribution of intelligence targets in various regions.
"Pitching" intelligence is not needed
RG: Let's move from high politics to purely military affairs. During the period of reforming the army, they talked and wrote a lot about the collapse of the GRU. To what extent have you been affected by structural changes, what does the Main Intelligence Agency now represent?
Shlyakhturov: Military intelligence is a complex structure, and it is constantly being improved. During the formation of the new look of the Armed Forces in the GRU, indeed, there was a reorganization and a certain reduction. Here it is necessary to understand the main thing: the changed situation in the world objectively required an adjustment of intelligence priorities and a mechanism for their implementation.
Currently, the GRU has in its composition extractive agencies, both operational and technical, as well as information and analytical structures and support units.
I want to emphasize that the GRU is practically the only special service in the world, having in its structure all the types and areas of intelligence currently known. At the same time, the number of the central apparatus of the Main Intelligence Directorate is incomparably smaller than that of any foreign military intelligence.
It is clear that in these conditions, the successful solution of the assigned tasks, first of all, is ensured by the high professionalism of the intelligence officers. Well, of course, one cannot disregard the wide use of modern technical equipment and the latest achievements in the field of information, telecommunication and space technologies and innovations in all intelligence agencies.
For example, we have the technical capabilities to operate in the electromagnetic and cosmic spheres. This allows to obtain important information about the situation in zones of armed conflict and areas that are of interest to military intelligence.
RG: I can not not ask about your special forces. After all, he was handed over to the subordination of the military districts?
Shlyakhturov: Indeed, special-purpose units and units are now organizationally incorporated into military districts and fleets, as well as into airborne forces. But they remain an important part of operational intelligence.
These units are still highly prepared for special tasks. There are well-trained servicemen, for whom nothing is impossible on the battlefield and deep in the rear of the enemy.
The Main Intelligence Directorate, as before, determines the ideology and directions of development of this type of intelligence, the forms and methods of using special forces and means, the training of specialists, and the technical policy for creating weapons and special equipment for it.
I can say that in their combat capabilities, the Russian special forces are in no way inferior to the special forces units of the leading countries of the world. And in some aspects and exceeds them.
RG: It turns out that our directors are not exaggerating at all when they are shown on the screens of a special forces superman. This muscular rambo in the Russian version.
Shlyakhturov: No, the real military scouts are not at all like cinema boners. Even in the GRU special forces there are no large-sized “strokes”. With such an invoice, it would be difficult for them to make long marches and most covertly solve assigned tasks.
It should be understood that the whole of the GRU and military intelligence consists of various organs and structures. Therefore, there is no single stereotype of a military intelligence officer. But I can identify the main features characteristic of people who serve or work in our bodies and divisions.
First of all, these are patriots, people with a high sense of responsibility, who are able to perform the tasks set in any conditions, including with the risk to life. Military intelligence officers are distinguished by high professionalism, developed thinking, a broad outlook. Virtually all military intelligence officers speak several foreign languages. They apply modern information technologies in their work. We have many candidates and doctors of science, not only in the field of special activity, but also in other areas.
And, of course, for successful work in the GRU, good psycho-emotional stability, a high level of physical fitness are necessary. They are needed as employees engaged in operational activities abroad, and technical professionals working in combat duty. Without these qualities it is difficult to imagine the hard work of a specialist analyst. They are also required by senior management of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
RG: You mentioned the high technical equipment of the GRU. Does military intelligence somehow affect the retooling of our army? For example, you monitor trends in the global arms market and give advice to the military leadership, what defense technologies should you focus on?
Shlyakhturov: GRU is actively working in this area. Our analysts prepare materials that reveal the main trends in the development of the armies of foreign countries, their equipment with new generation equipment, technological breakthroughs abroad, the creation of fundamentally new weapon systems.
Information is sent to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, to research institutions and relevant enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia. Of course, this helps to make informed decisions within the framework of the State Armaments Program, and also contributes to the strengthening of the country's military-industrial potential.
If necessary, the GRU can give a detailed description of any foreign model, weapon system or equipment and compare them with Russian developments.
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