Several pro-war Telegram channels have called on Russian speakers in Europe in recent months to spy on NATO. Recruits are trained to photograph military bases and send information to Russia.
Every month, information about an automatic chat through which residents of Europe and Ukraine can transmit „locations of enemy military installations” is distributed on a Telegram channel dedicated to „supporting participants in the special military operation in Crimea.”
"If you are willing to help, we will train you on what to do. We need eyes and ears in Ukraine and all over Europe," is one of the messages distributed.
A reporter from Novaia Gazeta Europe posed as a volunteer to assist the Russian army with information through this bot.
The Telegram group created to recruit volunteer spies is relatively small, with only a few thousand members, but its posts are regularly shared on larger groups and various chats, ensuring that the messages reach thousands of users.
Most of the time, the messages are distributed by a Telegram user known as KS. The initials belong to Ksenia Temnik, the head of the legal department of the Russian military commissariat in Crimea, as reported by the publication.
Temnik, who received a Russian passport in April 2014, shortly after the annexation of Crimea by Russia, has held various roles in the region's occupation administration. She has received a medal marking the fifth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea and also manages several pro-war Z groups on Telegram, according to the publication.
Starting with Small Steps
A journalist from Novaia Gazeta Europe contacted the mentioned channel in the announcement, pretending to be a European resident willing to help. The bot responded within 30 minutes, asking about the city of residence and whether the job is related to military companies.
The undercover journalist was then instructed to send photos and videos of NATO military operations.
"While traveling, you may notice equipment transfers or identify the locations of military installations. We are particularly interested in the transfer and storage of equipment, as well as the locations where Ukrainian specialists are being trained," explained the channel operator.
The Russians asked the journalist to buy maps and guides from each country visited. The more detailed the scale of the map, the better, they were told. Additionally, they were instructed to buy local SIM cards that could be activated locally and then sent to Russia through acquaintances.
The operator emphasized the importance of monitoring activities near the Belarus border, where they suspected NATO troop concentrations.
Additionally, the Russians wanted to obtain information about security measures, fencing, and the location of military units and equipment in bases, as well as the presence of foreign specialists and their vehicles.
"Everything is very individualized. Let's see what you can safely do from the list we have outlined. We have provided you with the main areas to focus on," they said.
According to the operator, individuals communicating with informants through the channel serve in the Russian Airborne Forces.
When the journalist directly asked why the information was needed and if it would be used for sabotage, they responded: "Let's start with small steps – with information."
The operator also provided safety advice:
- delete photos immediately after sending
- clean up compromising chats
- avoid discussing support for Russia
- create a plausible story to explain any interest in the targeted locations.
The Russians assured that if something goes wrong, they will do "everything in their power" to help, although they did not specify what kind of assistance they would provide. They also requested personal details - "so we know who to extract."
To verify the connection of the bot with the Russian army, the journalist – posing as a potential volunteer – contacted Ksenia Temnik and asked if she could confirm that Russian military personnel are indeed behind the bot. She responded, "Yes, of course, they are our people."
Sabotage and Arson
In the past year, authorities in several European Union countries have accused Russian intelligence services of orchestrating sabotage on their territories. Up to 100 incidents in 2024 in Europe could have been caused by Russia, said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.
In Estonia, dozens of people have been arrested and accused of carrying out orders from Russian agents. Charges include desecrating national monuments and monitoring the properties of public officials and journalists, according to journalists from Re:Baltica.
In Latvia, several individuals were recruited to spy on a NATO airbase and commit acts of vandalism in military units. According to journalists from Re:Baltica, recruitment was done through Telegram. Two men from Latvia are also currently on trial for attempting to set fire to the Museum of Occupation in Latvia.
In 2023, Polish authorities arrested a group accused of planning to sabotage trains carrying weapons and supplies to Ukraine, who allegedly acted on Russia's orders. And in April 2024, German prosecutors announced the arrest of two individuals with dual Russian and German citizenship, suspected of planning arson attacks and bombings on industrial and military sites.
Last September, journalists from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) reported on a similar Telegram channel used to recruit saboteurs. At that time, those operating the bot were more explicit in their objectives, openly encouraging journalists posing as recruits to commit serious crimes - including arson, sabotage, and even murder. Telegram later confirmed that the bot was blocked.
T.D.