Russia Has Begun Recruiting Moldovan Citizens to Carry Out Sabotage Operations Against Ukraine — CPD
Moldova’s intelligence agencies have observed an increase in the recruitment of Moldovan citizens for subversive activities, a significant portion of which is directed against Ukraine. Russian intelligence agencies are recruiting potential operatives through social media, offering them money to carry out what initially appear to be simple tasks.
According to the head of Moldova’s Information and Security Service, Russian intelligence agencies are actively seeking operatives through social media.
In the initial stage, people may be offered compensation for photographing specific objects or monitoring them. Such tasks may seem straightforward and safe.
However, once a person is recruited, the tasks may gradually become more complex and involve direct participation in sabotage operations.
Moldovan intelligence agencies emphasize that a significant portion of these operations are directed against Ukraine.
Moldovan law enforcement agencies have already conducted several joint counter-operations with Ukrainian security forces. As a result, they managed to thwart the plans of individuals suspected of planning sabotage.
The Central Counterintelligence Directorate noted that similar incidents have been recorded in other Eastern European countries as well. Previously, there were reports of arson attempts and other acts of sabotage in Slovakia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and other countries. In most of these cases, investigators consider a Russian connection to be the leading theory.
The Center for Countering Disinformation emphasizes that the use of citizens of other countries to carry out acts of sabotage is part of Russia’s hybrid strategy.
“Recruitment via social media and the involvement of citizens of other countries in acts of sabotage are among the tools of the Kremlin’s hybrid aggression. Russia is attempting to create networks of operatives in Europe and use them to attack critical and defense infrastructure,” the Center noted.
This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.
On August 28, the “ATESH” guerrilla movement reported a new scheme for recruiting men into the Russian army in occupied Donetsk. According to the movement, potential conscripts are sought out in bars and on the streets and then, while heavily intoxicated, are taken to military recruitment offices.
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) reported that it had uncovered concrete evidence of Russian intelligence services recruiting Danish citizens via social media and gaming platforms.
