Russia has begun recruiting Ukrainians en masse under the guise of law enforcement officers
Russian intelligence agencies have stepped up their efforts to recruit Ukrainians by posing as employees of the SBU and other law enforcement agencies.
According to the SBU, in 2026 alone, dozens of such recruitment attempts were uncovered in cooperation with the National Police.
As noted by the security service, Russian agents use various methods of psychological pressure and deception. In particular, they:
- call or message via instant messaging apps, posing as employees of the SBU, the National Police, and other agencies;
- use personal data from online store databases;
- blackmail people with fabricated criminal cases (for example, over alleged purchases on “Russian websites”);
- demand money to “close” non-existent cases;
- incite arson, sabotage, or other crimes against Defense Forces facilities.
Separately, the SBU draws attention to the distribution of fake summonses for “interrogations,” to which forged signatures of SBU officials are added.
Once they make contact with a victim, the perpetrators may resort to blackmail, offering to “avoid criminal liability” in exchange for carrying out illegal tasks.
Such tasks may include:
- surveilling people;
- carrying suspicious packages;
- purchasing chemical components;
- manufacturing homemade explosive devices;
- setting fire to Defense Forces vehicles or administrative buildings;
- planning sabotage or terrorist attacks.
Sometimes, victims are also asked to transfer money or hand over cash via couriers under the pretext of a “verification.”
The agency emphasizes that the SBU operates strictly within the law and “does not assign any questionable tasks or send official documents via messaging apps.”
The Service urges citizens to be vigilant and not to trust such messages, which may be part of enemy special operations.
This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine.
