The Russian war machine, having already failed on the battlefield, has resorted to an even more cowardly tactic — recruiting Ukrainian children for sabotage missions. Russian operatives are offering teenagers so-called “easy money” to commit arson against infrastructure and military facilities, attempting to turn innocent youths into pawns for their destructive ambitions.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have sounded the alarm over this disturbing development, urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity. The Russian network of saboteurs is reportedly using bots on messaging apps to recruit young Ukrainians, luring them with money to commit crimes.
A recent case in Odesa highlights the Kremlin’s latest scheme. A student approached an educational safety inspector after receiving a message offering payment for setting fire to critical infrastructure, damaging Territorial Recruitment Centres (TCC) vehicles, and disabling railway relay cabinets. Fortunately, this student reported the attempted recruitment, but authorities fear many others may not.
The Ukrainian Patrol Police have stressed that protecting children from hostile influences requires vigilance from both parents and educators. Young people must be taught to recognise and reject these manipulative attempts, as Russia continues its desperate efforts to destabilise Ukraine from within.
Russian Sabotage Tactics Against Ukraine
| Target Group | Method of Recruitment | Sabotage Tasks | Russian Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian children and teenagers | Messaging apps and bots | Arson, infrastructure damage, attacks on military vehicles | Destabilisation and internal sabotage |
This form of psychological and digital warfare is part of Russia’s wider campaign of hybrid aggression. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has warned that Russian agents constantly seek new saboteurs. Unlike in previous years, where the Kremlin used coercion, its agents now openly offer financial rewards. However, the reality is far darker—Russian operatives have been known to eliminate their own recruited agents to avoid paying them, turning what was promised as “easy money” into a deadly trap.
The use of children in sabotage efforts highlights the desperation of the Russian war criminal Vladimir Putin and his security services. As his failing invasion continues, his regime resorts to ever more despicable tactics, proving once again that the Kremlin’s moral compass is as non-existent as its battlefield successes.
