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This article, based on Western open sources, tries an appreciation of the present Russian military intelligence (GR, former GRU), the most powerful intelligence agency which has maintained its identity in the dramatic transition from the Soviet Union to the Russian Federation. The agency is responsible for all levels of military intelligence, from tactical to strategic, through consolidated networks for humint and sigint activities. The GRU also employs the Spetsnaz brigades, whose traditional tasks range from reconnaissance missions on the battlefield, raids into enemy targets, sabotage actions, as well as training and supervising pro-Russian paramilitary and partisan units or units of mercenaries in the pay of the Kremlin. Alongside the traditional roles related to combat and intelligence, the GRU conducts operations of cyberwar, disinformation, propaganda and, nonetheless, the elimination of opponents deemed dangerous by the Moscow government. In the last decade, the failure of some of these operations and the identification of several of its operational agents have brought to light the responsibilities of the organization and have significantly contributed to outlining its operational procedures, which have always been wrapped in an understandable framework of secrecy.