The Untold Story of How US Spies Sabotaged Soviet Technology
In the early 1980s, the FBI's Operation Intering aimed to counter Soviet espionage by selling sabotaged U.S. technology to the Soviets, gathering intelligence while draining their resources.
Read original article
In the early 1980s, the FBI initiated a covert operation known as Operation Intering to counter Soviet espionage efforts targeting American technology. The operation began when FBI agent Rick Smith encountered an Austrian tech entrepreneur who had connections with the Soviet consulate in San Francisco. Recognizing the potential for intelligence gathering, Smith and the entrepreneur devised a plan to sell sabotaged U.S. technology to the Soviet Bloc. At that time, the Soviet Union was actively seeking advanced American microelectronics, which were crucial for military applications.
The FBI directed the Austrian to pose as a seller of prohibited technology, facilitating contact with Soviet officials through Eastern Bloc intermediaries. This strategy allowed the Soviets to acquire millions of dollars' worth of compromised technology without realizing they were being deceived. The operation not only aimed to drain Soviet resources but also to gather intelligence on their technological needs and espionage tactics.
As the operation progressed, it became increasingly risky for the Austrian, who was not a trained spy but adapted quickly to the role. By 1982, Operation Intering was fully operational, with the FBI successfully infiltrating Soviet supply chains. This initiative reflects a broader history of U.S. covert actions aimed at sabotaging adversaries' technological capabilities, a practice that continues in various forms today, particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions.
Related
Leaks reveal how Russia's foreign intelligence runs disinformation campaigns
Leaked SVR correspondence unveils "Project Kylo," a disinformation campaign targeting the West. The operation aimed to incite fear and anti-government sentiments through fake news and social media manipulation, emphasizing fear and manipulation tactics.
Leaks reveal how Russia's foreign intelligence runs disinformation campaigns
Leaked SVR correspondence unveils "Project Kylo," a disinformation campaign targeting the West. SVR planned to incite anti-government sentiments through fake NGOs, news sites, and social media, emphasizing fear and manipulation tactics.
Justice Department Disrupts Covert Russian Government-Operated AI Bot Farm
The Justice Department disrupted a Russian social media bot farm spreading disinformation globally. The operation seized domains, exposed technology, and highlighted Russian state involvement. Ongoing investigation and prosecution aim to counter disinformation.
US disrupts Russian government-backed disinformation campaign that relied on AI
The U.S. Justice Department disrupted a Russian-backed disinformation campaign using AI to spread propaganda in the U.S. Fake social media profiles promoted Russian interests, including misinformation about Ukraine. The operation involved RT and Kremlin support, targeting multiple countries.
How the CIA 'kidnapped' a Soviet moon probe during the space race
During the space race, the CIA covertly dismantled the Soviet Lunik 2 spacecraft in 1959 to gather intelligence on Soviet moon-bound technology. This operation showcased the agency's espionage capabilities.
18 commentshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxrkC-pMH_s
(based on the first-person account book 'Deckname Saale' by Gerhardt Ronneberger)
It was 1959, two years after the USSR had launched Sputnik. The USSR was showing off its achievements to other countries. Most were uninteresting, at least to the US government (in a country with electricity, stealing models of power stations would've done little good), but one was quite interesting: the Lunik spacecraft. It had to be a model, the CIA figured. After all, the Soviets had to have known Americans would've looked at that and tried to steal it, or at least figure out how it was made. Models were safer. But American agents figured it wouldn't hurt to look, and they found that it was a real one, albeit with some critical parts, like the engine, removed.
But you can't just saunter in during the exhibition and steal it, for fairly obvious reasons. The key was that it was a traveling exhibition, and as it was being transported, via some maneuvering and some possible/probable kidnapping of truck drivers (Sydney W. Finer notes the truck driver was "escorted to a hotel room and kept there for the night" on page 36 of his article[1] on it), the CIA managed to gain access to it.
After getting the all-clear to start, and, at one point, being scared witless by a possible ambush (it was people lighting the lamps, as was regularly scheduled), they opened the box carefully and began taking photographs of it. They took photographs or made drawings of everything, taking small amounts of things for study. Then they put it all back together and, eventually, gave it back to the original driver. They did their job hiding it well. In 1967, according to Finer's article (final page), there was "no indication the Soviets ever discovered that the Lunik was borrowed for a night."
The CIA has now declassified some documents on it[2], referring to it, somewhat euphemistically, as a 'loan' or 'borrowing' rather than 'theft'.
[1]https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/THE%20KIDNAPING%20OF%20...
[2] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/collection/lunik-loan-space-...
Edit: hm, I'm not sure who would be offended by the facts, but HN has a few stories about the bulgarian computer industry and how it was happily humming until 1989.
What strikes me is the dual-edged nature of these operations. While they may have successfully stymied Soviet technological progress, they also pushed the Soviets towards a more cautious and suspicious approach to Western technology, possibly slowing down legitimate collaborations and trust-building that could have benefited both sides.
This raises an interesting question: In today's context, with global supply chains so interwoven, could such large-scale technological sabotage even be feasible? And if so, how would it impact not just national security, but global economic stability?
Moreover, considering the evolution of espionage tactics with the advent of cyber warfare, I wonder if we'll look back in a few decades and see similar stories emerging about current technological conflicts. The stakes and methods have changed, but the underlying strategic goals seem eerily similar.
One day the US President met with the Canadian Prime Minister at the time. The next day the PM scrapped the program, ordered all schematics and documents of the aircraft be destroyed.
The something like 40,000 engineers mostly then got jobs in the US.
Interesting that computing has become so thoroughly integrated and invisible that an aside in the article notes this.
Related
Leaks reveal how Russia's foreign intelligence runs disinformation campaigns
Leaked SVR correspondence unveils "Project Kylo," a disinformation campaign targeting the West. The operation aimed to incite fear and anti-government sentiments through fake news and social media manipulation, emphasizing fear and manipulation tactics.
Leaks reveal how Russia's foreign intelligence runs disinformation campaigns
Leaked SVR correspondence unveils "Project Kylo," a disinformation campaign targeting the West. SVR planned to incite anti-government sentiments through fake NGOs, news sites, and social media, emphasizing fear and manipulation tactics.
Justice Department Disrupts Covert Russian Government-Operated AI Bot Farm
The Justice Department disrupted a Russian social media bot farm spreading disinformation globally. The operation seized domains, exposed technology, and highlighted Russian state involvement. Ongoing investigation and prosecution aim to counter disinformation.
US disrupts Russian government-backed disinformation campaign that relied on AI
The U.S. Justice Department disrupted a Russian-backed disinformation campaign using AI to spread propaganda in the U.S. Fake social media profiles promoted Russian interests, including misinformation about Ukraine. The operation involved RT and Kremlin support, targeting multiple countries.
How the CIA 'kidnapped' a Soviet moon probe during the space race
During the space race, the CIA covertly dismantled the Soviet Lunik 2 spacecraft in 1959 to gather intelligence on Soviet moon-bound technology. This operation showcased the agency's espionage capabilities.