Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Foreign Intelligence Service Russia traces its origins to the 20th of December 1920 when the Special Section of the Cheka was founded. This date marks the creation of the first foreign intelligence unit of the Soviet Union and is celebrated annually by the agency.
The Foreign Intelligence Service Russia maintains its headquarters in the Yasenevo District of Moscow. This sprawling complex serves as the nerve center for Russia's global espionage network and distinguishes the agency from the domestic-focused Federal Security Service.
The director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Russia reports directly to the President of the Russian Federation. This direct line of command ensures the agency remains a personal tool of the Kremlin and allows it to operate with significant autonomy.
The legal framework for the Foreign Intelligence Service Russia is defined by the Law on Foreign Intelligence Organs signed into effect by President Boris Yeltsin on the 10th of January 1996. This law authorizes the agency to conduct espionage, implement active measures, and provide security for Russian government officials and their families.
The Foreign Intelligence Service Russia recruits agents in Western countries primarily by targeting Russian émigrés who live abroad. The agency focuses on individuals with feelings of filial obedience toward Russia rather than recruiting based on Communist ideals.
The Foreign Intelligence Service Russia has conducted covert operations including espionage, assassination, and disinformation campaigns. The agency established the Special Operations Department known as Zaslon on the 23rd of March 1997 to support these activities and protect diplomats in foreign embassies.