Additional Coverage:
Russia Targets Critics Globally
Russia’s President Putin is believed to be behind a series of mysterious deaths of his opponents in Europe and Russia. The US Justice Department is concerned that Russia’s reach could extend to the US.
Russian Actions in the US
The Justice Department has prosecuted Russian agents for election interference, cyber attacks, and espionage in the US since the invasion of Ukraine. Russia has assets in the US engaged in suppressing Putin’s critics and interfering in elections and politics.
Potential Assassination in the US
US officials do not rule out the possibility of an assassination attempt on American soil. The Justice Department and FBI are focused on preventing such activity.
Case Study: Aleksander Poteyev
Russian defector Aleksander Poteyev was followed and his car photographed in Miami by a Russian intelligence agent. Hector Fuentes, a Mexican man working for Russia, was arrested for carrying out the surveillance.
Challenges in Identifying Suspects
Russia is capable of killing enemies in the US, but it is difficult to stop a determined assassin. Thousands of people enter the US daily, making it challenging for law enforcement to track potential suspects.
Possible Disguised Death
Russia may attempt to make an assassination appear as a suicide, making it difficult to determine the cause of death. The death of Putin critic Dan Rapoport in Washington, D.C., remains undetermined.
Conclusion
Russia continues to pose a significant intelligence threat to the US despite the focus on counterterrorism after 9/11. Putin has been able to poison and kill his opponents with impunity, raising concerns that he may feel emboldened to act in the US.