Kremlin says spies watching Russian scientists '24/7'

Foreign spies keen to get their hands on Russian research are monitoring Russian scientists around the clock, the Kremlin said Wednesday, after experts denounced a new security decree as a Soviet throwback.

The Kremlin's comments came after scientists criticised a ministry directive calling on researchers not to meet foreign colleagues one-on-one and requesting filed reports after every encounter -- even a cup of coffee.

"Of course we must be somewhat vigilant, because foreign special services are on alert," said President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov when questioned on the decree from the science and education ministry.

"There is such a thing as scientific and industrial espionage," Peskov said. "It exists 24/7 and is targeting our scientists, especially young scientists."
"All science is built on communication and exchange of information," he told AFP. "If you go by the decree, then even having a cup of coffee with a foreign colleague requires a report afterwards."