📖 Overview
Andrei Soldatov is a prominent Russian investigative journalist and security services expert who has extensively covered Russian intelligence agencies, surveillance, and cyber operations since the late 1990s. He is widely recognized for co-founding Agentura.Ru, an independent website focused on monitoring Russian intelligence and security services.
With his regular collaborator Irina Borogan, Soldatov has authored several influential books including "The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia's Security State" and "The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia's Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries." These works have provided critical insights into the evolution of Russia's security apparatus and digital surveillance systems.
Soldatov's journalism career spans major Russian publications including Novaya Gazeta, Moscow News, and Versiya, where he has covered significant events such as the Moscow theater hostage crisis and the Beslan school siege. His work has drawn attention from Russian authorities, including a 2002 FSB search of his newspaper office.
As a respected authority on Russian security matters, Soldatov contributes regularly to international media outlets including Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and The Moscow Times. He frequently provides expert commentary on Russian intelligence and security issues for various Western media organizations.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Soldatov's insider knowledge of Russian intelligence services and his firsthand reporting experience. On Goodreads and Amazon, reviewers highlight his deep sourcing and ability to explain complex political dynamics to Western audiences.
Likes:
- Detailed accounts of FSB/intelligence operations
- Clear explanation of power structures
- Current, relevant analysis of Putin's Russia
- Balances technical detail with readable narrative
Dislikes:
- Some find writing style dry or academic
- Translation quality varies between books
- A few readers note occasional repetition between chapters
- Some want more historical background
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
"The Red Web" - 4.0/5 (788 ratings)
"The New Nobility" - 3.9/5 (326 ratings)
"The Compatriots" - 4.1/5 (213 ratings)
Amazon:
"The Red Web" - 4.3/5
"The New Nobility" - 4.2/5
Top reader comment: "Soldatov delivers unique insights into Russia's security services that you won't find elsewhere, even if the prose isn't always engaging."
📚 Books by Andrei Soldatov
The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia's Security State (2010)
A detailed examination of how former KGB officers rose to power in post-Soviet Russia and transformed the FSB into a dominant political force.
The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia's Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries (2015) An investigation into Russia's system of digital surveillance, documenting the battle between state censorship and internet freedom activists.
The Compatriots: The Brutal and Chaotic History of Russia's Exiles, Émigrés, and Agents Abroad (2019) A historical account of how Russian intelligence services have pursued and influenced Russian émigrés from the October Revolution to present day.
The Killer in the Kremlin (2022) An analysis of Vladimir Putin's rise to power, his control methods, and the transformation of Russia's security services under his leadership.
The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia's Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries (2015) An investigation into Russia's system of digital surveillance, documenting the battle between state censorship and internet freedom activists.
The Compatriots: The Brutal and Chaotic History of Russia's Exiles, Émigrés, and Agents Abroad (2019) A historical account of how Russian intelligence services have pursued and influenced Russian émigrés from the October Revolution to present day.
The Killer in the Kremlin (2022) An analysis of Vladimir Putin's rise to power, his control methods, and the transformation of Russia's security services under his leadership.
👥 Similar authors
Mark Galeotti - Author and researcher specializing in Russian security affairs, organized crime, and intelligence services. His work on the evolution of Russian power structures complements Soldatov's focus on security services.
Karen Dawisha - Wrote extensively about Russian politics and the rise of Putin's system of power. Her research on the networks of Russian political and economic control aligns with Soldatov's investigations of state security structures.
Catherine Belton - Former Moscow correspondent who investigated the rise of Putin and the role of security services in modern Russia. Her work examines the intersection of power, money, and intelligence services in contemporary Russia.
Peter Pomerantsev - Writing focuses on Russian media manipulation and modern propaganda systems. His analysis of Russian information warfare connects with Soldatov's work on state surveillance and control.
Luke Harding - Investigative journalist covering Russian intelligence operations and state security activities. His reporting on Russian intelligence operations abroad shares common ground with Soldatov's analysis of Russian security services.
Karen Dawisha - Wrote extensively about Russian politics and the rise of Putin's system of power. Her research on the networks of Russian political and economic control aligns with Soldatov's investigations of state security structures.
Catherine Belton - Former Moscow correspondent who investigated the rise of Putin and the role of security services in modern Russia. Her work examines the intersection of power, money, and intelligence services in contemporary Russia.
Peter Pomerantsev - Writing focuses on Russian media manipulation and modern propaganda systems. His analysis of Russian information warfare connects with Soldatov's work on state surveillance and control.
Luke Harding - Investigative journalist covering Russian intelligence operations and state security activities. His reporting on Russian intelligence operations abroad shares common ground with Soldatov's analysis of Russian security services.