Today in Focus
Sabotage and secret identities: Russia’s spy network
May 5, 2025
Shaun Walker, The Guardian's former Moscow correspondent and author of 'The Illegals', dives into the gripping world of Russia's espionage tactics. He shares the dramatic story of undercover spies Anna and Artem Dulcev, revealing the emotional toll on their family. The discussion tracks the evolution of the 'illegals' program from the Bolshevik era to today, highlighting the rigorous training spies undergo. Walker also explores recent Russian sabotage incidents and the complex human side of espionage, uncovering the reality behind secret identities.
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Quick takeaways
- The Dulcev couple's experience highlights the emotional complexities faced by families living under false identities as deep cover spies.
- Russia's shift towards employing proxies for sabotage through platforms like Telegram demonstrates a modernized, cost-effective approach to espionage.
Deep dives
The Story of the Dulcevs
A couple known as Anna and Artem Dulcev, previously posing as Argentine nationals Maria Mea and Ludwig Gish, were revealed to be deep cover Russian spies after being released from a Slovenian prison. Their return to Moscow included a bewildering welcome by Vladimir Putin, further complicating their children's understanding of their identity. The couple spent approximately a year and a half imprisoned due to their involvement in the Russian illegals program, which employs operatives who live under false identities in foreign countries. The children were only informed of their true Russian identities during the flight back to Moscow, highlighting the complexities and emotional strain of living as spies.
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