The KGB, Russian Academic Imperialism, Ukraine, and Western Academia, 19462024 [Hardcover]

The KGB, Russian Academic Imperialism, Ukraine, and Western Academia, 1946-2024is a study of Soviet and Russian intelligence operations against the centers for Soviet studies in North American academia. Using recently opened archival KGB and US intelligence documents, memoirs, and personal interviews with former KGB officers in post-Soviet Ukraine, this book analyzes the Soviet strategy of using their enemies for promoting their own political interests, especially directed at the problems of Ukrainian nationalism and independence. This volume investigates KGB operations establishing a foothold within the American Slavic studies community during the Cold War. The KGB, and their current successors the Russian FSB, use Russian emigrants and academics to promote pro-Kremlin and pro-Putin myths within North American research institutes. Special attention is paid to the historical roots of contemporary Russian intelligence operations targeting American-Russian academics and promoting Russian state interests in the ongoing war against Ukraine.Sergei I. Zhukis professor of history at Ball State University.

In this stunningly revelatory book, Sergei I. Zhuk exposes Russia's clandestine operations to influence academics (especially in the anglophone world) to form (and present to the public) views favorable to Russia. From the appropriation of Kyiv-Rus' to Russia's on-going war against Ukraine, Moscow consistently and systematically has endeavored to forge the academic views of the world in its interests. Unfortunately, and to Moscow's great satisfaction, some of those most influential in academic circles have been manipulated, often without their noticing it, and have been propagating Russian academic imperialism. Russia has gone about this in numerous ways, which the author discusses in detail. This volume will serve to alert those who have been blind to silent Russian influence operations in academia. In this sense, every scholar in the field should rel£q