Russians explain rise in spy scandals with Western intelligence activity, increased counterintelligence

Almost half of Russians explain a recent rise in criminal inquiries on high treason and espionage counts with the activity of Western secret services (26%) and the improved performance of national counterintelligence agencies (20%), Levada Center told Interfax.

Fourteen percent of 1,600 respondents polled in 134 regions on February 20-23 argued it was an attempt of Russian security services to win public attention, to bolster their position and to draw extra funding. Seven percent suspected the Russian authorities of trying to defame any type of opposition activity. A third of respondents (33%) were undecided.

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