There's indications that the Russian intelligence services are intertwined with organized crime. The oligarchs get help laundering money out of the state, the intelligence services get untraceable money that they can use to bribe foreign assets and the organized crime syndicates get paid for their money laundering services and get a free pass from the authorities as long as they don't inconvenience those in power too much. Seems like one of the most impressive rackets in history.
I think we can assume that all intelligence agencies are intertwined with organized crimes in some way. Itβs not like spy activity is completely legal anyway.
In Russia the Oligarchs are mob bosses. It's really that simple. And who do they work with ? Putin who has access to 100% of all government capabilities. It's a big birthday cake and there are plenty slices to go around.
