Russia’s intelligence recruits Ukrainians for terror attacks via messaging apps and forums, offering quick pay, Ukraine’s law enforcement warns.
According to Ukraine’s law enforcement, Russian intelligence is using messaging apps and forums to recruit Ukrainians for terrorist attacks, offering quick pay.
Ukrainian authorities have recently seen a rise in terrorist attacks on police, military centers, and postal facilities. The Record Media reported that at least nine attacks this year were linked to Russian intelligence.
“So far this year, we have already recorded nine such incidents. The latest occurred in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytsky region. An individual approached a checkpoint at the Territorial Center for Employment and Social Assistance carrying a bag and asked to deliver an alleged package. At that moment, an explosion occurred. There were four victims, including the perpetrator.” said Vyhivskyi. “As I mentioned, we have documented nine cases, three of which specifically targeted police officers for assassination attempts. Over the weekend, we uncovered an incident where criminals called 102, made a false report about a crime inside a building, and orchestrated an explosion. Since last year, police officers have been aware that Russian special forces are actively targeting all Security and Defense Forces, including the police and, in particular, the Territorial Recruitment and Social Assistance Centers.”
The attacks aim to destabilize Ukraine’s political contest and undermine public confidence in the nation’s security and defense forces, Vyhivskyi added.
This method could effectively recruit young people, the unemployed, and Moscow sympathizers, explained Ivan Vyhivskyi, head of Ukraine’s national police.
Vyhivskyi warned the Ukrainian citizens that once the attacks were carried out, Russian intelligence would kill or imprison them.
In the past, Ukraine’s national police and Secret Services spotted numerous disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks carried out by Russia-linked actors that relied on Telegram for recruitment.
Ivan Vyhivskyi reported that the police, together with the SBU, have detained individuals involved in terrorist acts against TCC employees and police officers in various regions of the country.
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Pierluigi Paganini
(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Russia’s intelligence)
