Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Kremlin, in Moscow, on February 15, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has tasked Russia's FSB spy network with helping businesses counter Western sanctions.
  • The move follows increased Russian spy activity since Russia started the war in Ukraine.
  • It shows how Moscow is aiming to counter tightening trade restrictions from the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin just gave Russia's post-Soviet KGB spy network an assignment: counter Western sanctions and help Russian businesses expand into new markets.