Russia is waging an insidious "grey war" in the United States, using money, data, and donations to influence American politics. This strategy relies on a complex network, the "Putinosphere," which ranges from intelligence services to agents of influence and "useful idiots." The case of Charles McGonigal, a corrupt high-ranking FBI official, illustrates Russia's effectiveness in infiltrating elites. As early as the 1970s, pioneers built bridges between American conservatives and Russian interests. The infiltration of the NRA by Maria Butina in 2016 showed how a cultural organization can become a gateway to power. Financially, Russia combines costly and ineffective official lobbying with a more discreet "elite capture" through partnerships. This strategy exploits political polarization and declining trust in institutions, revealing a deep societal vulnerability in the United States.