In Moscow's Shadows In Moscow's Shadows 214: Law and Lawlessness in Late Putinism (or, Late Brezhnevism redux)
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Aug 31, 2025 The podcast dives into the paradox of law and lawlessness in contemporary Russia, spotlighting the FSB's push for greater surveillance amid claims of arrests. It discusses the appointment of a new chair for the Supreme Court and its implications for judicial independence. Corruption is on the rise, with a 16% increase in cases, raising concerns about the survival of state integrity. The blending of prosecutorial and judicial powers poses a threat to genuine legal reform, painting a grim picture of a system influenced by power and predatory practices.
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FSB Overstretch Fuels Surveillance Push
- The war has stretched the FSB by forcing it to divert officers to hunt alleged Ukrainian agents and sabotage networks.
- That diversion gives the FSB political cover to demand expanded surveillance powers like access to smart speakers.
Arrests Illustrate Sabotage Tactics
- The FSB arrested a Volgograd resident who allegedly rented near Engels airbase to place a navigational module for Ukrainian drones.
- They also detained a woman in Sevastopol who unknowingly carried an icon packed with explosives in a sting operation.
Smart Speakers Become A Legal Flashpoint
- The FSB seeks full access to smart speakers to monitor citizens, but this risks drowning analysts in unmanageable data.
- Yandex resists, paying small fines while hoping the demand either falters or is dropped.
