Has Russia reduced its spy staff?

Les explains that he has been raising his voice to his classes, warning them not to believe that the Russian bear is dead. He points out that though Russia may be a little crimped economically and cold and hungry, the threats of mass famine have not come true. The Russian army sits east of the Ural mountains just as intact as ever. He then cites a major news magazine from a week or two earlier reporting that Russia has not cut one person from the staff of its espionage and that they are just as busy with spying activity as they ever were.