Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki, also known as SVR, is a Russian intelligence agency that primarily focuses on foreign intelligence operations. The term Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki translates to the Foreign Intelligence Service in English. SVR is responsible for gathering and analyzing information from outside Russia to assist the government in making informed decisions related to national security, foreign policy, and various strategic areas.
The SVR operates under the authorization and supervision of the President of Russia. Its main tasks involve conducting covert intelligence activities, including espionage, counterintelligence, and surveillance operations abroad. The agency employs highly trained officers who serve as agents, analysts, and support personnel to carry out its missions.
The SVR can be seen as the modern successor to the First Chief Directorate of the former KGB, taking over its foreign intelligence functions after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, it is distinct from the Federal Security Service (FSB), which focuses primarily on domestic security matters.
The activities of the Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki are shrouded in secrecy due to the nature of its work. As such, specific details about its operatives, operations, and techniques are limited to maintain operational security. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized as one of the principal intelligence agencies in Russia, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the country's interests on the global stage.
