Exiled Russian dissident Garry Kasparov has disclosed that American and Lithuanian intelligence agencies warned him of potential threats to his life. The former world chess champion, now residing in the United States, stated that he and another dissident were advised to take extra precautions for their safety.
This revelation follows the unsealing of an indictment by the US Justice Department earlier this month, which accuses five individuals associated with a Kremlin-linked network of orchestrating attacks and murders targeting Russian dissidents abroad, including within the United States. Kasparov made these remarks in his publication, The Next Move, where he expressed concerns regarding his safety, although he clarified that he had not been explicitly informed that he was a target.
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, sources familiar with the situation indicated that Kasparov and fellow opposition figure Ilya Ponomarev received warnings about the plot during the summer, prompting enhanced security measures for Kasparov for the first time since his relocation to the US.
Kasparov’s Stance on Safety and Political Climate
In his writings, Kasparov emphasized his refusal to retreat or hide, asserting that he and his family would not feel secure as long as Vladimir Putin remains in power. He articulated a sentiment shared by many Russians who oppose the current regime.
After retiring from competitive chess in 2005, Kasparov dedicated his efforts to political activism, establishing movements that directly challenge Putin’s authority. He fled Russia in 2013 and has not returned since. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he was labeled a foreign agent, and in 2024, was placed on a list of terrorists and extremists—designations he firmly rejects.
Network of Threats and Assassination Plots
Ponomarev, who also received warnings, was the sole Russian MP to oppose the annexation of Crimea in 2014 before going into exile in Ukraine. Although he refrained from confirming specific details regarding the threats, he acknowledged that these events signify a heightened level of aggression from Russia.
The US Justice Department has indicated that a network allegedly operating for Russian intelligence has been involved in plotting attacks against dissenters since at least 2024. This so-called RIS Network is accused of coordinating actions aimed at silencing opposition figures worldwide.
Five individuals named in the indictment—Yuri Khrameev, Kirill Khrameev, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, Yaidel Delgado Suarez, and Angel Eduardo Castro—are alleged to have participated in a global assassination conspiracy, attempting to recruit both American citizens and foreign nationals to carry out these missions on behalf of the Kremlin. All five remain at large, as confirmed by the Justice Department.
In response to the unsealing of the indictment, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that he would refrain from commenting until credible evidence or tangible facts were presented.
