They call you — and suddenly, you’re an “agent,” without even realizing it. Ukrainian law enforcement is reporting a surge in cases where the Russians target pensioners by phone, impersonating officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) or the National Police. Victims are then blackmailed into carrying out sabotage missions for Russia, according to the National Police.

Russia’s strategy is clear: recruit people who are unaware they have become pawns in a campaign of international sabotage.

In Ukraine, elderly people are typically contacted via Viber. The goal: coerce them into following “orders” based on fake draft notices, fabricated criminal cases, or alleged links to Russia through purchases of medicines or dietary supplements.

One common scheme involves telling a pensioner that a drug they bought is banned because it was “produced in Russia.” That, the scammers claim, amounts to “collaboration with the enemy.” What follows is extortion — and a so-called “way out”: either wire money or complete a “small task.”

Pensioners in Kyiv have already contacted police after being defrauded or drawn into dangerous schemes. Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasizes that legitimate security agencies never issue illegal or covert orders to citizens.

According to the SBU, Russian operatives are also attempting to recruit minors. These efforts often begin with photographing sensitive sites or tagging graffiti, and escalate to acts of sabotage against railway and energy infrastructure.

Moreover, in Europe, the Russians recruit Ukrainian agents to cause a double wave: shock in the West and propaganda within Russia. 

A secret Russian intelligence document obtained by The New York Times shows the FSB’s growing alarm over Chinese espionage, despite Moscow’s repeated public claims of an unbreakable friendship with Beijing.

Although President Vladimir Putin has hailed a “limitless” partnership with Xi Jinping, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) refers to China as “the enemy” in an internal memo that outlines counterespionage priorities. The undated eight-page planning document was likely written in late 2023 or early 2024 and was authenticated by six Western intelligence agencies contacted by The New York Times.

The FSB accuses Chinese intelligence of attempting to recruit Russian scientists, officials, and businesspeople, collecting military secrets related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and using corporate and academic fronts to gather information in sensitive regions, including the Arctic and Central Asia.

The intelligence standoff unfolds as Putin and Xi continue to tighten their alliance, having met over 40 times since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Though bound by economic needs, the two powers operate with deep mutual distrust, NYT says. Russia relies heavily on China for oil exports, electronics, and alternatives to Western companies. According to an FSB document, tensions persist within this strategic relationship.

Origins and validation of the document

The document was obtained by cybercrime group Ares Leaks, according to NYT. Although the group did not disclose how it accessed the file, six Western agencies deemed it credible. It is the most detailed known insight into the Russian counterintelligence view of China.

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Espionage targets and recruitment

The FSB claims Chinese agents are particularly focused on Russia’s military tactics in Ukraine, especially drone warfare, modernization methods, and countermeasures against Western weapons. Chinese defense-linked institutions reportedly flooded into Russia soon after the 2022 invasion, seeking firsthand data from the conflict.

The memo also mentions Beijing’s interest in Russia’s discontinued ekranoplan project and the recruitment of aviation scientists. Dissatisfied or financially pressured employees of aircraft research institutes were considered likely targets.

Digital surveillance and WeChat monitoring

The FSB directive includes the monitoring of Chinese messaging app WeChat and mandates hacking into phones of espionage suspects. Officers are instructed to accumulate data using internal software tools to identify threats and intercept leaks of strategic information.

Concern over territorial claims and historical revisionism

The FSB warns of Chinese academic efforts to find “ancient Chinese peoples” in Russia’s Far East and spread revanchist narratives. A 2023 Chinese map labeled areas of Russia with historical Chinese names. Officers are ordered to investigate such activities and restrict access for involved foreigners.

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Intelligence tension in the Arctic and Central Asia

The document also highlights Beijing’s growing interest in Russia’s Arctic development and the Northern Sea Route. FSB analysts believe Chinese spies use mining companies and academic research to access strategic data.

Managing risk without disrupting ties

Despite these concerns, the FSB is cautious not to trigger diplomatic fallout. The document advises against public statements labeling China a threat and requires high-level approval before any sensitive actions.

About 100 people blocked a vehicle belonging to the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRC) in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast on 29 May, the Khmelnytskyi regional TRC reported.

Social media users shared several videos showing a crowd surrounding a gray SUV in the courtyard of a multi-story building. Police attempted to protect the vehicle from attacks.

The author of one video claimed that TRC employees had beaten a young man before the incident. She also said one woman was pressed against a car and another elderly woman was run over.

The TRC confirmed the vehicle in the video belonged to their mobile notification group. However, officials did not provide details about the event. They only stated that citizens’ actions “showed signs of organized resistance to the performance of official duties by Armed Forces representatives.”

The TRC emphasized that obstructing military personnel during martial law can qualify as treason under Article 114-1 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. Such actions may also constitute other serious crimes against national security foundations.

The National Police in Khmelnytskyi Oblast had not commented on the incident as of the evening of 29 May.

Attacks on TRC employees have increased recently across Ukraine. In Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast, two military recruitment office servicemen were attacked. Police detained and arrested two attackers.

Later, in Novyi Rozdil, Lviv Oblast, a group of men beat a TRC serviceman who had been transferred to the recruitment office after front-line service. In Chernihiv Oblast, a man brought to the military recruitment office stabbed a military officer who had also been transferred there from the front.

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