Dozens of Russian Telegram Users Face Terrorism, Arson, Sabotage Charges Over Chatbot Conversations

© изображение сгенерировал ИИ

Russian security services have uncovered the use of a popular Telegram chatbot, "Dajvinchik/Leo - Dating, Communication and New Friends," by Ukrainian intelligence agencies to recruit Russian citizens for terrorist and sabotage activities, according to a statement from the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Ukrainian intelligence agencies used deception and psychological pressure to coerce dozens of Telegram users aged 12 to 22 into committing armed attacks on law enforcement officers, arson attacks on transport, energy, communication, and financial institutions, and acting as couriers to deliver funds from defrauded citizens to cryptocurrency exchange points linked to accounts controlled by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

SBU agents posed as women and initiated online contact with young Russian men seeking romantic relationships through the Telegram service, inviting them to meetings and asking for their location. Later, individuals posing as Russian law enforcement officials contacted the young men, claiming that the provided coordinates were used by the SBU to plan missile strikes and drone attacks. Threatened with criminal prosecution, the victims were coerced into committing illegal acts under the guise of participating in other "pseudo-operational activities."

Since July 2025, 46 Russian citizens from various regions, including Moscow, St. Pyotrsburg, the Leningrad region, Chuvashia, Bashkortostan, Altai Krai, Belgorod, Vladimir, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Rostov, Ryazan, Saratov, Sverdlovsk, Ulyanovsk, and Yaroslavl regions, have been detained.

Criminal cases have been initiated under articles related to "Terrorist Act," "Sabotage," "Intentional Destruction or Damage of Property," "Hooliganism," and "Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer." Those who have reached the age of criminal responsibility have been charged and measures of restraint have been imposed.