The Security Service of Ukraine has reported a concerning increase in recruitment attempts made by Russian secret services targeting Ukrainians. These operatives are utilising deceptive tactics by impersonating Ukrainian law enforcement officials or creating profiles as women on dating websites to lure individuals into unlawful activities, including arson and sabotage. This tactic is a part of broader 'false flag' operations aimed at compromising Ukraine's security from within.

The SSU outlined specific methods employed in these recruitment strategies. They notably call or message individuals, claiming to represent various Ukrainian law enforcement agencies such as the SSU, Defence Intelligence, or the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Moreover, they resort to intimidation and blackmail, threatening potential recruits with criminal repercussions under the guise of legal authority, thus coercing them into participating in criminal acts.

This alarming development underscores the ongoing psychological warfare being waged by Russia against Ukraine, aiming to destabilize the country's internal security and incite chaos from within. The SSU's cautionary announcement serves as a reminder for Ukrainians to remain vigilant against such manipulative schemes that exploit personal vulnerabilities for subversive purposes.