Russia’s Longstanding Practice of Targeted Assassinations: Examining Putin’s Tactics

An unsuccessful Russian plot to kill a high-ranking Russian intelligence official who defected to the United States has shed light on Russia’s history of targeted assassinations. Known as “Wet Deeds,” these actions involve the elimination of individuals perceived as threats to the regime. Putin’s regime has employed various tactics, including poisonings, kidnappings, forced suicides, and other forms of intimidation and murder. While the plot in Florida failed, the targeting of Kremlin critics on U.S. soil underscores the danger faced by those who oppose the regime.

Tracing the Origins of “Wet Deeds”: The practice of targeted assassinations, known as “Wet Deeds,” can be traced back to the early days of the Soviet Union. Lenin and Stalin utilized these tactics to eliminate individuals they deemed as threats. Under Putin’s leadership, this practice has been revived and formalized through legislation that authorizes targeted assassinations for “extremist activity.” Russian military intelligence operatives carry out these “special tasks,” using methods such as staged accidents and fatal explosions.

Targeting Kremlin Critics on U.S. Soil: Russian attempts to silence those who criticize the Kremlin have extended beyond Russia’s borders. In 2007, former CIA officer Paul Joyal survived a brutal attack after implicating Putin and the Kremlin in the death of Aleksandr Litvinenko. In 2015, Mikhail Lesin, a former Putin adviser, was found dead in a Washington, D.C., hotel. These cases highlight the risks faced by Kremlin critics living abroad.

The Failed Assassination Plot in Florida: The recent failed plot to eliminate the defected Russian intelligence official, Aleksandr Poteyev, involved the recruitment of a Mexican scientist named Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes. Fuentes was coerced into tracking down Poteyev but raised suspicion while attempting to access Poteyev’s apartment building in Miami Beach, leading to his arrest. This incident raises questions about the level of training possessed by Putin’s assassins, as they failed to execute the operation stealthily.

Implications for Russia’s Recent Armed Revolt: The authenticity of the recent armed revolt in Russia is being questioned by some, who suspect a potential false-flag operation. The actions taken by Putin’s regime against key figures involved in the revolt, such as Prigozhin, will serve as an important indicator. If Prigozhin becomes a target of Putin’s assassination playbook or if Wagner mercenaries launch a second front targeting Ukraine from Belarus, it would suggest that Putin’s regime remains intact and capable of outmaneuvering the Biden administration.

The recent attempted assassination of a Russian intelligence official in Florida highlights Russia’s long history of targeted assassinations, known as “Wet Deeds.” These tactics, used by Lenin, Stalin, and now Putin, involve eliminating individuals perceived as threats to the regime. The failed plot in Florida, along with previous incidents targeting Kremlin critics on U.S. soil, demonstrate the risks faced by those who challenge the authority of the Kremlin. The ongoing developments surrounding the recent armed revolt in Russia will provide insight into the true dynamics at play.

Questioning Russia’s Longstanding Tactics: Analyzing Putin’s Methods