The KGB, Russian Academic Imperialism, Ukraine, and Western Academia, 1946-2024 is a study of Soviet and Russian intelligence operations against the centers for Soviet studies in North American academia. Using recently opened archival KGB and US intelligence documents, memoirs, and personal interviews with former KGB officers in post-Soviet Ukraine, this book analyzes the Soviet strategy of "using their enemies" for promoting their own political interests, especially directed at the problems of Ukrainian nationalism and independence. This volume investigates KGB operations establishing a foothold within the American Slavic studies community during the Cold War. The KGB, and their current successors the Russian FSB, use Russian emigrants and academics to promote pro-Kremlin and pro-Putin myths within North American research institutes. Special attention is paid to the historical roots of contemporary Russian intelligence operations targeting American-Russian academics and promoting Russian state interests in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
Sergei I. Zhuk is professor of history at Ball State University.
Introduction: Russian Academic Imperialism in the West and Soviet/Russian Intelligence Chapter 1: The KGB and Founding of the Soviet Studies Centers in Capitalist America, 1946-1960 Chapter 2: The KGB and International Academic Connections in the USSR Academy of Sciences Chapter 3: The "KGB People" in International Academic Exchanges Chapter 4: The KGB Spies, Infiltration into American Society, and KGB "Sleeper Cells/Illegals" Chapter 5: The KGB, Ukrainian Diaspora in America, and Academic Exchanges Chapter 6: "Academic Imperialism": Writing Soviet and Post-Soviet History without Ukraine and the Role of the Russian Post-Soviet Immigration to the West Chapter 7: "The Agents of Influence": Post-Soviet Oligarchs, Russian Intelligence Service and Slavic Studies Centers in the West Epilogue: KGB Legacy and Failed "Westernization" of Russia Appendix: List of Interviews Bibliography About the Author
"In this stunningly revelatory book, Sergei I. Zhuk exposes Russia's clandestine operations to influence academics (especially in the anglophone world) to form (and present to the public) views favorable to Russia. From the appropriation of Kyiv-Rus' to Russia's on-going war against Ukraine, Moscow consistently and systematically has endeavored to forge the academic views of the world in its interests. Unfortunately, and to Moscow's great satisfaction, some of those most influential in academic circles have been manipulated, often without their noticing it, and have been propagating 'Russian academic imperialism.' Russia has gone about this in numerous ways, which the author discusses in detail. This volume will serve to alert those who have been blind to silent Russian influence operations in academia. In this sense, every scholar in the field should read this book." -- Hiroaki Kuromiya, Indiana University Bloomington "Sergei I. Zhuk's book is a thoroughly researched and original archival study of Soviet and Russian intelligence and the Russians' influence operations against Western academia. Zhuk's crystal-clear analysis is grounded in the intellectual history of Soviet/Slavic/Russian/Ukrainian studies in the West, highlighting the legacy of the KGB's practices and its pernicious influence on American and European politics and education. This fresh iconoclastic account reveals the powerful capabilities of Russian ideological subversion, and is a must-read book for scholars and intelligence practitioners, Western policy makers, and broader audiences." -- Olga Bertelsen, Tiffin University "Sergei Zhuk documents an eerie tale of the KGB's infiltration of Western universities and the channels of East-West academic exchange during the Cold War. The same tactics and methods, hinged on the use of university professors and researchers as "agents of influence," are now being used by the intelligence agencies of Putin's Russia and other non-democratic states to subvert the Western centers of learning from within. This book is a necessary wake-up call for all who care about the preservation of democracy, civil liberties, and human rights in the increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world." -- Filip Kovacevic, University of San Francisco "In this provocative, original, and timely analysis of Soviet and post-Soviet Russian infiltration of American academe, Sergei Zhuk once again demonstrates his expertise on the cultural Cold War and its ramifications. Skillfully employing unparalleled access to KGB archives and networks, as well as his own experiences as a Soviet Americanist, Zhuk offers fascinating insights into the Soviet manipulation of soft power and post-Soviet efforts to continue the russification of American Slavists through university "Slavic studies" programs and research centers that remain focused on Russia. By impeding the cultural and historical decolonization of the USSR/Russian Federation, Zhuk argues that these tactics have succeeded in raising doubts among American power brokers about Ukraine's place in the world. Essential reading for everyone interested in the nexus of academe, intelligence, and policymaking." -- Denise J. Youngblood, University of Vermont "Sergei Zhuk masterfully analyses how the USSR and post-Soviet Russia have successfully influenced Western scholars, academic institutions, research, and writing 'academic imperialism' through agents of influence, Ukrainian and Russian diaspora's, academic conferences and exchanges and oligarchs. Western historians of Russia and the Kremlin denied Ukrainians a separate identity by submerging them within pan-Russian history. In 2014, influential Western academics blamed the West for Russia's first invasion of Ukraine and defended Russia's annexation of Crimea with Russia's full-scale invasion six years later exposing the biased Russophile roots of 'academic imperialism.'" -- Taras Kuzio, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy "Sergei Zhuk's book is an excellent archive-based study that examines Russian intelligence active measures targeting Western academia. Immersing readers in the murky world of the Putin regime attempts to cultivate its supporters and sympathizers among American and European intellectuals, Zhuk demonstrates well that this academic imperialism builds on the Soviet KGB legacy practices." -- Andrei Znamenski, University of Memphis
