Putin Resurrects Stalin's Infamous Counterintelligence Agency 'Death to Spies'
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Putin has resurrected the Soviet counterintelligence group Smersh, known for catching spies and dissidents, according to British intelligence.
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Smersh, meaning "death to spies", was formed by Stalin in 1941 and disbanded in 1946.
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An image shows operatives apparently wearing Smersh patches, though unclear if a new group or existing one "re-badged".
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Seen as another example of Putin framing the war in terms of WWII and infiltration of threats into Russia.
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In Bond works, Smersh is portrayed as Bond's deadly rival, seeking to undermine and kill Western spies.