The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergei Naryshkin, now claims that the USA is planning to influence Vladimir Putin's election campaign.
Specifically, the spy chief believes that the USA plans to activate former Russian exchange students in the USA, who are to replace the 'non-systemic opposition that fled en masse to the West.'
According to Naryshkin, the American plan is for these exchange students to engage in fifth column activities in Russia, he states in a press release from SVR, as reported by Tass.
Fifth column activities are aimed at undermining a country's government in favor of a foreign power.
80,000 Students
The SVR estimates that there are about 80,000 people in Russia who have been associated with exchange programs in the USA, and it is precisely these 80,000 that the USA believes can become the new core of a fifth column.
"It is clear that the Americans, on election night in Russia, will seize even the slightest opportunity to stir up unrest (and sow disorder) in the domestic political situation in our country," Naryshkin is quoted as saying.
Furthermore, the spy chief says that the USA has already initiated a program where these former students will actively fight against the Russian authorities.
Weakened Relationship Russia has largely already banned their exchange programs with the USA since the relationship between the two countries weakened about ten years ago.
However, this is the first time that Russia has publicly stated that these former students could pose a security threat in the country.
The statements from the intelligence service come after Russia has long been engaged in 'cleaning up' its own ranks. Most recently, a number of Russian scientists have been accused of treason after participating in international research.
