Russia’s FSB Says Tip-Offs Climbed to Almost 150K in 2025
The FSB reported a significant rise in calls to its tip-off hotline in 2025, attributed to ongoing sabotage during the war in Ukraine.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that calls to its public tip-off hotline, known as the "Telephone of Trust," surged to nearly 147,000 in 2025, marking a 33% increase from the previous year. This uptick is largely attributed to heightened concerns regarding a campaign of sabotage amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Regional security services reported an 88% increase in calls, indicating a growing public engagement in reporting suspicious activities related to the war effort.
Of the total number of calls received, the FSB highlighted that approximately 16,000 reports contained significant information relevant for investigations. More than 97% of these reports were directed to regional offices, signifying a strong local response to national security threats. The agency claims that actionable intelligence acquired through the hotline has led to the prosecution of 18 individuals on charges related to terrorism and sabotage, which carry severe penalties under Russian law.
The alleged perpetrators have been associated with what the FSB describes as Ukrainian terrorist organizations, reflecting the tense atmosphere in Russia regarding national security and espionage during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This situation underscores the FSB's efforts to mobilize civilian input in addressing threats, while also highlighting the implications of citizen surveillance and reporting on personal freedoms in the context of wartime conditions in Russia.