Russian handlers and agents have begun using a new recruitment scheme to organize sabotage and terrorist attacks in Ukraine, according to Andriy Nyebytov, head of Ukraine's criminal police. He told LIGA.net that the scammers call people who have bought dietary supplements, pose as officers of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), and accuse the buyers of financing Russian aggression.
Nyebytov said the callers claim the purchased product was made in Russia, meaning the buyer had effectively funded the war. The victims then receive fake summonses or notices of suspicion and come under psychological pressure, after which they are offered a task to carry out.
From photos to arson to bombs
Nyebytov said the assignments start small and escalate. He described the process as beginning with photographing a target, moving on to setting fire to a serviceman's car, and ultimately committing a terrorist attack.
Nyebytov said children are among those targeted for recruitment. He said 260 children have already contacted law enforcement and helped prevent terrorist attacks they were being pressured to carry out.
Police urge people to report threats
Police stressed that people should refuse to carry out such demands and should contact law enforcement immediately if unknown individuals threaten, blackmail, or try to force them into suspicious tasks.
The report notes that Russia has repeatedly changed its recruitment methods. Early schemes offered money for photographing sites and setting fire to military vehicles, before shifting to dating websites, Telegram, fake job offers, blackmail, and even recruited prisoners. Russian intelligence services have also begun recruiting underage girls to kill servicemen and have recruited Ukrainians through chats used to sell drugs.
