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Read previewThe head of Russia's foreign intelligence service claimed Thursday that the US could meddle in Russia's upcoming presidential election.
Washington could do this, SVR chief Sergei Naryshkin baselessly claimed, by creating a "fifth column" in Russia consisting of Russians who participated in US-funded exchange programs.
The term "fifth column" refers to a group of people working to undermine a nation's interests from within.
Naryshkin was parroting Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly warned of a fifth column within the country's borders.
Persons:
—, Sergei Naryshkin baselessly, Naryshkin, Anastasia Burakova, Washington, they'll, Vladimir Putin
Organizations:
Service, Business, USAID, Foreign Relations, Government
Locations:
Washington, Russia, USAID, Europe, Leningrad Oblast, Russian, masse, Ukraine