The film Active Measures delves into the political warfare tactics employed by Russian intelligence agencies, encapsulated in the term "active measures." Directed by Jack Bryan, the documentary opens by chronicling the turbulent past of Vladimir Putin, recounting an extraordinary incident where his father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, narrowly saved his mother from a mistaken death during World War II. As described by Hillary Clinton, this moment symbolizes Putin's ideologies as he views himself as "literally pulling the body of Russia out of the pile—the dust bin of history."
As the documentary progresses, it dissects Putin's early career in the KGB at just 22 years old. While he asserts he merely gathered press clippings in Leningrad and Dresden, the film contradicts this by revealing his actual role involved protecting covert Russian spies in the U.S. and implementing active measures to sway American policymaking. The film identifies some notable spies, including Jack Barsky, Andrew Daulton Lee, and Karl Koecher.
Moreover, Putin's political ascent is examined, highlighting the connections he formed in St. Petersburg amid rampant organized crime and corruption during the 90s. There are serious allegations regarding the September 1999 apartment bombings, suggested to be false flags orchestrated by the FSB—an organization that Putin led—to bolster his impending Presidential campaign that he declared just weeks later.
The documentary scrutinizes Putin's war against democracy and dissent, detailing his ruthless approach toward oligarchs, many of whom were exiled, disappeared, or coerced into compliance. He surrounds himself with a network of former intelligence and security officials to maintain control over key economic assets.
The film introduces Donald Trump during his financial struggles and suggests that Trump Tower and the Trump Casino were potential fronts for money laundering, providing a conduit for untraceable funds. This connection to Russian organized crime is further underscored as intricate ties develop between Trump and figures of the notorious Mogilevich crime family.
The narrative transitions to explore escalating tensions during Putin’s governance, specifically addressing the 2007 cyberattack on Estonia, and the subsequent invasion of Georgia in 2008, tying these events to broader Russian strategic interests. The documentary also tracks Russian interference in Ukraine and parallels between political disinformation campaigns targeting leaders like Yulia Tymoshenko and Mikheil Saakashvili.
As the focus sharpens, Putin's methods of manipulation through propaganda, cyber attacks, and the use of spies are laid bare. The film presents insights from James Woolsey, suggesting a significant presence of Russian intelligence agents within the US. The connection to Trump's business dealings becomes crucial as warnings emerge about the influence of Deutsche Bank, known for its extensive ties to Russian financial operations.
Key moments include Trump's questionable affiliations, including a 2013 Miss Universe Pageant held in Moscow, and deteriorating relationships leading to hacked emails during the 2016 campaign. The fallout from this breach reveals favoritism towards Clinton from within the DNC, while insidious conspiracy theories like Pizzagate sprout from Russian-backed disinformation campaigns, further manipulating U.S. voters.
The documentary poses an urgent assertion that Russian active measures are not a relic of the past but are ongoing, expertly crafted campaigns that have indelibly altered the political landscape. In a powerful conclusion, it suggests that these tactics will continue to destabilize democracies worldwide.
