Thread by @NaveedAJamali

For 3 years I worked undercover face-to-face against the second most senior GRU intelligence officer in the US. Here is what I learned about Russia and the GRU. A thread.

First for Russia the Cold War never ended. The minute any Russia intelligence officer (IO) got off that plane in JFK, they acted as if they were in enemy territory.

My time with the Russians actually started in the late 1980’s when the KGB began doing business with my dad. Since the first meeting my family fed everything to the FBI. The KGB was replaced by the GRU. So what’s the difference between the KGB and the GRU? Not much.

In 2005 I began my time as a double agent. My mission was to let the GRU recruit me as a spy. People ask what secrets did I have that the GRU wanted? They wanted me. The Russians are patient, they play the long game. They knew I was omw to become an intel officer.

Well before Trump & Ukraine, Russia was committed to collecting MILITARY intel on the US. Why? Because we’ve always been the blocker that has contained Russia. They’ve always viewed us, not as a competitor, as a threat. So they collected to be prepared. Long game - remember?

Back to my exp. Oleg was my GRU case officer. He was extremely smart and a skilled interrogator. He was also arrogant af. Oleg was a professional, and a patriot to his country. I have no ill will to him. But I’d do it again. And I was better. We beat him and the GRU - badly.

The GRU was smart & willing to take risks. They had freedom to act. The FBI, while I trusted them w my life (literally), was unimaginative and totally risk-adverse. This gave the Russians a distinct edge. RUS was changing tactics, FBI wasn’t.

I said Oleg was the second most sr GRU official here. Who was the first? The FBI’s real target: General Uravov - who never left the mission. So Oleg became the tool for the FBI to get Uravov. Yes this some real-world spy shit. Jam up Oleg, which stops Uravov, and the GRU.

At the time few people in the IC cared about Russia. As a result, I was able to do some crazy and innovative things. But, also, while were busy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Russians never stopped working against their biggest enemy: the US.

Russia has no interest in getting into a war with us. Yet, they don’t like we were the sole superpower. So they waited patiently looking for the right way and time to destabilize us. Given their robust US collection efforts, it is of no surprise they had significant capabilities.

So here’s what I learned. Russia has been building to this moment for decades. This has nothing to do with Trump, even as they see him as beneficial to their goals. No admin has confronted Russia, they’ve all downplayed Putin’s threat. Yet he played a role in almost toppling us.

Russian intel and military is both professional, committed, and deadly serious. Oleg was proud of his assignment here - it was the pinnacle of his career. He came to the US to run spies. Russias intent has never changed, it’s just that now, their goals r being realized.

Oh and if you’re wondering “Naveed, is the GRU still operating in the US?” Yes they are. Look at the military attaches assigned to the embassy, consulate, and mission. Those are almost definitely GRU. Like I said nothing has changed.

If you’ve made this far and want to learn more about my time, I wrote a book about it amazon.com/How-Catch-Russ…. A follow would be most appreciated.