Ukraine’s security service has raised the alarm over a disturbing trend of Russian intelligence services recruiting Ukrainian children for sabotage and terrorist activities. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reported that at least 22 percent of recruited agents are minors, with a sharp increase in their use for terrorist acts since the start of 2025. The SBU warns that enemy intelligence agencies are systematically targeting vulnerable Ukrainian children and teenagers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to official data, 55 percent of those recruited are unemployed, making them easy targets for manipulation. Another 7 percent have prior criminal records, while individuals struggling with drug, alcohol, or gambling addictions remain highly vulnerable to recruitment efforts. The mass enlistment of Ukrainian minors began in the spring of 2024. Initially, teenagers were tasked with acts of sabotage such as arson and damage to railway infrastructure, but from 2025, they have been increasingly involved in terrorist activities.
The National Police of Ukraine has highlighted that the primary factors driving minors to carry out these criminal acts include financial incentives and psychological coercion. Russian recruiters use manipulation tactics such as glorifying dangerous missions, promising adventure, and even resorting to blackmail. Some minors are coerced with threats of exposing personal information or revealing details of previous missions they were forced to complete.
Authorities are urging parents, teachers, and the public to be vigilant and report any signs of recruitment attempts to the SBU or the police. Ukrainian law enforcement stresses the importance of educating children about information security and the dangers of manipulation, as Russia’s recruitment strategies often rely on online platforms, intimidation, and deception.
The Ukrainian government has previously warned that Russia is using recruitment, blackmail, and threats to exploit young people for its illegal activities. Officials are calling for increased awareness and preventive measures to protect minors from falling into the hands of Russian operatives.
