<p>There is a distinction among global spy services: those that conduct assassinations and those that do not. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States is known for the former, often using missile-armed drones and high-tech methods.</p>
<p>Some countries, however, still carry out assassinations using traditional methods, including firearms and poisons. Russia is particularly noted for such operations, referred to as “wetwork.” Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian intelligence agencies have engaged in a resurgence of these activities, resulting in the deaths of Kremlin adversaries in various countries over the last two decades.</p>
<p>Notable incidents include the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London and the 2018 poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury. Until recently, it was believed that Russia refrained from executing such operations on American soil.</p>
<p>However, the U.S. Department of Justice recently unsealed an indictment against five individuals connected to a plot to assassinate a U.S.-based critic of the Putin regime. The accused individuals are currently outside the United States.</p>
<p>The group, identified as the “Russian Intelligence Service Network” (RIS Network), was led by Yuri Khrameev, a 63-year-old veteran of Russian special services. His son, Kirill Khrameev, an officer in the FSB, and Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, a dual Russian-Cuban national, were also involved. Durruthy, a dance teacher, had previously participated in a GRU sabotage network in Europe. Two additional members, Yaidel Delgado Suarez and Angel Eduardo Castro, allegedly acted as recruiters for the group.</p>
<p>Although the RIS Network did not succeed in assassinating its target, who resides near Washington, D.C., there was significant planning involved. In the summer of 2026, the network attempted to surveil the target but struggled to find an assassin. An offer of $40,000 to carry out the hit did not result in a willing participant, and the plot was ultimately revealed by the unsealed indictment.</p>
<p>The network's planning appeared amateurish, reflecting a trend in the Putin regime's recent wetwork operations. The GRU has become increasingly aggressive, often employing inexperienced operatives who fail to meet expectations, allowing the Kremlin to deny involvement when operations go awry.</p>
<p>Despite this particular plot being compromised, there remains a risk that future Russian assassination attempts may be more effective. U.S. counterintelligence efforts are reportedly underfunded and poorly organized, which has been a longstanding issue. There are proposals for reform in Congress, but no significant changes have been implemented.</p>
<p>Some political commentary has linked this assassination plot to President Donald Trump’s relationship with Putin, but this perspective is contested. Historical incidents, such as the mysterious death of Mikhail Lesin in Washington, D.C., in 2015, suggest that Russian wetwork has been a concern for some time, regardless of the U.S. administration in power.</p>
<p>Ignoring the reality of Russian wetwork, including operations on American soil, risks allowing the Kremlin to continue targeting its enemies abroad. This recent case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Putin’s regime.</p>
<p><em>John R. Schindler served with the National Security Agency as a senior intelligence analyst and counterintelligence officer.</em></p>