Counterintelligence Service (First Service) (SKR)

The Counterintelligence Service (First Service) (SKR) is one of the main branches of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and is responsible for counterespionage.

The Counterintelligence Service is a branch of the Federal Security Service in charge of counterespionage. Its roles include overseeing the military-industrial complex and the Russian army and navy, and pursuing hackers who target government resources. It oversees seven main entities: the Department of Counterintelligence Operations, the Directorate of Coordination and Analysis of Counterintelligence Activity, the Directorate of Special Activities, the Directorate of Counterintelligence at Facilities, the Directorate of Information Support to Operational Detective Activity, the Information Security Center, and the Department of Military Counterintelligence (Soldatov and Borogan, 2010).

Leadership

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Structure

The SKR is comprised of six main subunits:

• The Department of Counterintelligence Operations (DKRO)
• The Directorate of Coordination and Analysis of Counterintelligence Activity (UKAKD)
• The Directorate of Special Measures (USM)
• The Directorate of Counterintelligence at Facilities
• The Directorate of Information Support to Operational Investigative Activity (UIOORD)
• The Centre 18 for Information Security (TsIB)

History

The SKR is the direct heir of the KGB’s Second Chief Directorate, which monitored foreign embassies and visitors and Soviet citizens with foreign contacts. As such, it traces its origins to 1922 (Riehle, 2024:31)