Radio on K(remlin) Street
The Washington Post reported last week that the Kremlin has a new business enterprise operating in Washington, D.C. It’s a radio station named after its first satellite, Sputnik, located at 105.5 on the FM dial.
The Russian government is openly funding Sputnik with studios on K Street near the White House. Most of the station’s staff members are Americans.
According to Sputnik’s website, it wants to point the way to a “multipolar world that respects every country’s national interests, culture, history and traditions.” Considering the Russian opposition to Voice of America’s operations in Moscow, is Sputnik as benevolent as its website claims?
Out of curiosity, we asked our chairman and CEO, Gregory Vistica—who is an expert on intelligence issues and tradecraft—what the Russians could be up to. He gave us a few common pointers for those interested in spycraft.
- Blend in. Live amongst the intended population. As previously noted, Sputnik hired an American staff to run a radio station in the most important city in the world. No further explanation necessary.
- Look for the decision-makers and gain access. The station is on K Street blocks from the heart of global democracy. Even if the concept of Sputnik unsettles some, people will become increasingly adapted to its existence and likely more open to its influence over time. The spyworld is apparently like doing business in real estate—it’s all about the location!
- Establish trust and build relationships. Over time, as the Sputnik staff settles into its role serving the Kremlin, it is not unreasonable to expect that others will find their messages mesmerizing, comfortable and perhaps even worth supporting. Americans can be a gullible bunch. You can’t say the same about the Russians who are experts in propaganda.

Noting the above themes, acknowledging the ongoing concern over Russian spying and election hacking, and remembering Russia’s shutting down of our Voice of America, it’s obvious there are underlying motives.
The people the Post interviewed went out of their way to say they haven’t been told they are spies—but are they ignorant enough to overlook the fact that they might be looked at as pawns, in a game that finds their presence, and their ignorant exuberance, useful?
