FAM International Security Weekly Intelligence Update Sochi, Russia 2014

Transcription

1 DATE: Saturday 01 February, Sochi Winter Olympic Security The Olympic venues are being securely guarded; there are presently 100,000 police, security agents and army troops in Sochi and the security of the city's transport systems has tightened considerably. High security technology includes: Air Defense Missiles Russia has established an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ); which is airspace over the land and water in Sochi to identify, locate, and control civil aircraft in the interest of Olympic security and are utilizing Ballistic Missile Defense; to stop the four major threats to the Games: 1) Surprise attacks by low-altitude missiles, 2) Confusion by raids of supersonic and high-altitude missiles, 3) Surprise attacks by sea, and 4) Confusion by electronic countermeasures Drones Russia is utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), also known as drones in the interest of Olympic security. These are both, aircraft controlled from the ground as well as independently flying a pre-programmed mission. High-Speed Patrol Boats The patrol boats are high-speed (68 mph) armed with general purpose mounted machine guns and a 20mm cannon as well as four guided missiles. Sonars Capable of Spotting Submarines Enemy submarines in the Black Sea will be detected and located by sonar. Sonar is the only effective method of detecting completely submerged submarines. Blanket Screening Requiring spectators to provide passport details to get a Winter Games spectator pass. Blanket screening is 100 percent scanning of all spectators entering the Olympic venues by x-ray scanners. Security will not base their screening efforts on risk or prioritization of potential threat; they will simply conduct blanket screening of all visitors at venue checkpoints. Secure Parking Lots Parking lots at Sochi Airport are being secured in an attempt to minimize the threat from car bombs. Remember; bombs can be of any type, including packages, suicide bombers, and car bomb. Page 1 of 7

2 DATE: Sunday 02 February, 2014 The Atmosphere in Sochi is Tense With the Winter Olympics just days away Sochi and its suburbs are on lockdown; the city is sealed off, and the atmosphere is tense. The restriction of movement in and around Sochi will be extraordinary to prevent potential terror attacks from terrorist groups in Russia s North Caucasus region. Other security precautions include: Parking Restrictions; all automobiles must be parked in seclusion zones set up around the city. Driving Restrictions; visitors and residents are being discouraged from driving in Sochi; police are imposing heavy fines for traffic violations and for driving in restricted zones. Stop and Frisk Program; Police have been authorized to stop and frisk, searching people for weapons and other substances. These stop and frisk activities are not based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, anyone can be stopped and researched without cause. Restriction on the Sale of Methyl Alcohol and Poisons; the sale of poisonous and intoxicating substances has been barred in Sochi (snake venom, methyl alcohol, kava plants, etc.). Page 2 of 7

3 DATE: Monday 03 February, 2014 US President Barack Obama Says the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are Safe US President Barack Obama has recently stated: I believe Sochi is safe despite Olympics terrorism risk. The president is shadowed 24/7 by hundreds of close protection Secret Service agents, his home has hundreds of surveillance cameras, intelligence teams, guards and surface-to-air weapons are focused on the skies and snipers positioned on his roof. He only travels in a specially constructed limousine with bullet proof glass and armor plating. What does a heavily guarded US President know about security risks? They live in a protective bubble. Main Risks against the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics The main risks against the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are potential suicide bombers and antipersonnel car bombs. The police and military are concerned about suicide attacks on the crowded streets of Sochi as well as terrorists carrying out a major car bombing attack. Last month the Russian government asked the U.S. for help in detecting and dismantling improvised explosive devices at the Winter Olympics in Sochi; the Olympics will face threats from suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices like those U.S. troops have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are currently two U.S. Navy ships offshore from Sochi and the U.S. military has prepared other military options in the event of a crisis in the area. Page 3 of 7

4 DATE: Tuesday 04 February, 2014 Protecting Visitors on the Way to Sochi Protecting the multitudes of visitors on the way to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Games (Feb. 7 to Feb. 23) has required beefed-up security measures at Moscow and the St. Petersburg Airports; as only domestic, charter or private flights can arrive at the Sochi Airport. Trains to Sochi pass through dozens of Russian cities including Volgograd, which is 435 miles northeast of the Olympic site and security has been beefed-up there as well. Visitors are advised to avoid any soft target (unguarded or poorly guarded areas) in and around the games. Page 4 of 7

5 DATE: Wednesday 05 February, 2014 Watch What You Say On Your Mobile Phone Your mobile phone will have an echo effect; that means the former KGB, now called FSB are eavesdropping on and recording every word you say. The FSB are also monitoring all your text messages. The Russian government has always tapped into mobile phones with the co-operation of the Russian mobile phone provider and the call is recorded at a GSM base station. However, for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Games the FSB obtained specialized GSM over-the-air interception hardware for their covert eavesdropping operations. Do not say or text anything over your mobile phone that you wouldn't want to see on the front page of a newspaper. Page 5 of 7

6 DATE: Thursday 06 February, 2014 No Carry-On Liquids on Russian Flights All airports in Russia have a ban on all carry-on liquids. This includes medicines, personal hygiene items, cosmetics, liquids, sprays and gels in any amount. Other items that have been banned are liquids used in arts and crafts such as paints and glue. Russian airports had previously let passengers take up to 3.4 ounces of liquids on board flights. The liquid restrictions came as other international airlines and governments relax the guidelines introduced in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks in the United States. President Vladimir Putin ordered the National Anti-Terrorism Committee to intensify counterterrorism operations and procedures all over the country. Page 6 of 7

7 DATE: Friday 07 February, 2014 Austrian Athletes Receive Kidnap Threats A letter threatened the kidnapping of two Austrian athletes (Bernadette Schild and Janine Flock) during the Sochi Games. The Russian Federal Criminal Agency is investigating and the Austrian athletes will be accompanied by members of a Russian Police Special Taskforce when they leave the Olympic Village. There are over 500 Russian Police Special Task Force members assigned various close protection duties during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Games. FAM has assessed the Russian Counterterrorism efforts against hostage and kidnapping incidents as high. * Contact a Advisor for more information on your specific security needs or to ask about our Threat Assessments at or us at info@faminternational.com Page 7 of 7