On a balmy evening in June, Benjamin Wittes orchestrated an impressive light display across the street from the Russian Embassy in Washington. With the help of a laptop and two powerful light projectors, he projected a giant blue and yellow Ukrainian flag onto the embassy’s façade. But that was just the beginning. Wittes, a respected national security law expert, had more tricks up his sleeve. He planned to project a thought-provoking essay, line by line, in three different languages. And by the end of the night, he even projected a Ukrainian-language insult aimed at Russian President Vladimir V. Putin. Wittes and his friends had been using light projections to make their voices heard since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. And it was clear that their actions were getting under the skin of the Russian officials at the embassy. In a playful display of defiance, the Russians had also begun projecting their own messages, including a nationalist Russian symbol. The theater of spotlight wars had become a juvenile, yet captivating, game between the two sides.
The Russian Embassy in Washington has become a battleground amid the most strained relations in decades between the United States and Russia. The compound, which sits just a few miles away from the White House, is a constant scene of protests, espionage activities, and an overall sense of bizarreness. It has attracted attention worldwide, with videos of spotlight chases and humorous umbrella obstruction going viral.
Within the embassy compound, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov has described it as a “besieged fortress.” The facility, complete with apartments, a school, a playground, and a swimming pool, serves as a self-contained village for diplomats and their families. The exact number of Russian personnel in the compound is unknown, as staffing levels have become a sensitive topic. However, according to Mr. Antonov, there are currently 184 diplomats and support staff members.
While the presence of Russian personnel may be unwelcome in Washington, Biden administration officials emphasize the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties, even in the most challenging times. Expelling the Russians entirely would result in the loss of America’s diplomatic presence in Moscow, which plays a crucial role in assisting U.S. citizens imprisoned in Russia.
Mr. Antonov, a seasoned diplomat, has experienced frustration with his limited contact with Biden administration officials and members of Congress. He has complained about the protests and what he terms “hooliganism” outside the embassy gates. The protests have become routine, with chants against Putin and broadcasts of Ukraine’s national anthem drawing support from passing cars. Ukrainian flags and anti-Russian slogans adorn homes across the street. Tensions have reached a point where neighbors shout “Slava Ukraini!” at Russians entering and exiting the embassy.
The embassy’s neighborhood residents have also found creative ways to express their dissatisfaction and support for Ukraine. A local resident stops at each of the embassy’s security cameras during his daily walk and holds up a news article about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, giving himself some personal satisfaction. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Avenue, the main road passing the embassy, occasionally faces closures due to Secret Service investigations of bomb threats. Although some believe the Russians exaggerate these threats to disrupt protests, it has become an unsettling reality for the locals.
Symbolic gestures and signs further highlight the tense atmosphere. An unofficial street sign along the embassy’s driveway proclaims it “Zelensky Way,” and protests have led to the planting of sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, along the sidewalk. However, these flowers are frequently torn up overnight, adding to the animosity between the sides. Yet, what angers Mr. Antonov the most are the FBI’s alleged efforts to recruit spies from within the embassy. He claims that Russian diplomats are being approached outside the embassy gates and given contact information for the CIA and FBI. While the FBI does not comment on these claims, it has released a public video encouraging Russian diplomats who oppose the war to get in touch. The embassy’s proximity to the FBI headquarters makes this recruitment effort all the more visible, with the video showcasing a journey from the embassy to the FBI doors.
The Russian Embassy remains a source of intrigue and suspicion. The F.B.I. and the National Security Agency attempted to tap into the embassy’s communications by constructing a secret tunnel beneath the building in the late 1970s. However, the project was exposed and eventually abandoned. Russian diplomats in the United States are subject to additional vetting, but former CIA operative Douglas London acknowledges that it is still possible to find willing Russian assets within the embassy. This situation adds to Vladimir Putin’s concerns about the loyalty and actions of his compatriots in America.
Mr. Antonov has even claimed that he himself has been personally targeted for recruitment. According to him, he received a letter from the State Department urging him to denounce his homeland and criticize President Putin’s actions. While it is unclear whether such a letter exists, it further highlights the tense environment surrounding the embassy.
Despite the embattled atmosphere, diplomatic relations must be maintained, according to the Biden administration. The Russian Embassy will continue to be a site of contention and a constant reminder of the strained ties between the United States and Russia.
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