For nearly two years, the war in Ukraine has shaped global politics, economies, and military strategies.
What started as a large-scale invasion has become a prolonged and intense conflict, with both sides adapting their tactics.
As Ukraine continues to resist, Russia has sought different ways to gain an advantage.
Beyond traditional military operations, intelligence gathering and sabotage have played an increasing role.
With the rise of digital communication, social media platforms have become an unexpected tool for influencing and gathering information.
Photograph Military Sites
An investigation has revealed that Russian-linked Telegram channels have been recruiting individuals in Europe to spy on NATO military bases.
Over the past six months, several pro-war groups have urged Russian-speaking residents in European countries to photograph military sites, purchase maps, and collect information to be sent back to Russia.
The recruitment process is carried out through a chatbot that provides specific instructions to potential spies, according to Digi24.
Those who engage with the chatbot are asked to record videos and take pictures of military movements, storage areas, and training facilities.
Particular interest is placed on locations near the Belarusian border. Recruits are also advised on how to avoid detection, including deleting messages and images immediately after sending them.
According to the investigation, the chatbot is connected to Ksenia Temnik, a legal officer in a Russian military recruitment office in Crimea.
Temnik has held various positions in the Russian administration since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and manages several pro-war groups on Telegram.
She confirmed that Russian military personnel are directly involved in running the chatbot and processing the intelligence collected.
Authorities across Europe have been working to dismantle suspected sabotage operations linked to Russia.
In Estonia, multiple individuals have been arrested for targeting government buildings and monuments. In Latvia, spies were recruited to monitor a NATO airbase.
Similar cases have been reported in Germany and Poland, where suspects were accused of planning attacks on infrastructure and supply routes for Ukraine.
