The hidden influence of the special services of the Russian Federation on Ukraine and some European countries as a threat to national security

The article explores the notion of covert influence, its place among the types of intelligence activities, the role of agents of influence in this contex. It reveals the peculiarities of the russian federation influence on Ukraine, Moldova and Europe in conditions of russian aggression. It is noted that the covert influence is a threat to national security. It was determined that the state, which is represented by its authorities, is the main subject of covert influence. The state authorities are empowered to determine the purpose, executive subjects, objects and directions of this activity and carry out its general management. The article contains a list of the russian federation’s entities of covert influence. The primary authorities are the president of the russian federation and the security council. It is noted that the objects of covert influence are divided into general and special. Today Ukraine is the primary object of russia’s covert influence. The article reveals the methods used by the russian federation to achieve its goal and the aim of covert influence.