How Russia recruits spies through social media | Ukraine This Week

How does Russia turn civilians into spies via social media? In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines Russia's covert recruitment networks and how the Kremlin systematically enlists ordinary people to carry out sabotage, espionage, and cyberattacks across Ukraine and Europe. From encrypted Telegram channels to teenage operatives, we uncover the tactics behind one of Europe's fastest-growing security threats.

Anna reveals what makes these operations so effective, with insights from cybersecurity expert Kostiantyn Korsun and Russia analyst Keir Giles, and explains how Russia leverages social media, financial incentives, and ideological messaging to build a clandestine network of civilian operatives. Understand why European intelligence agencies are sounding the alarm, what these attacks reveal about Moscow's long-term hybrid warfare strategy, and why experts warn the threat is accelerating.

00:00 Intro

01:04 What is sabotage?

04:17 Support independent journalism in Ukraine

04:50 How Russia recruits online

09:24 What Russia targets

13:12 Fighting Russia's hybrid war

17:40 Member Q&A

19:18 Outro

Read more about how Ukrainians use Telegram and the potential threats here: https://kyivindependent.com/is-ukraines-most-popular-messenger-app-a-russian-trojan-horse/

Watch more from the Kyiv Independent on Russia is building a state-controlled internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGT1BjaYY4

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