Ukrainian Resistance Uses Online Deception to Target Russian Forces, Reports Say

Ukrainian intelligence operatives have reportedly used online deception tactics to gather critical information on Russian forces in occupied territories, according to multiple sources familiar with the operations. The strategy involves creating fake identities to extract military data, with one operation reportedly leading to a drone strike that killed a Chechen commander.

How Do Ukrainian Resistance Groups Operate Under Occupation?

Ukrainian resistance networks inside occupied areas rely heavily on encrypted communication and covert intelligence-gathering methods. A key tactic involves using fake online identities to interact with Russian and Chechen soldiers, as described by Dmytro, an anonymous resistance fighter from Kherson. “We took insane risks then,” he said, noting that early resistance efforts included symbolic acts like flying Ukrainian flags and distributing patriotic music.

As Russian occupation hardened, open defiance became dangerous. “Expressing support for Ukraine in occupied areas is likely to earn a trip to ‘the basement,’ a euphemism for Russian torture chambers,” said Petro Andriushchenko, a resistance coordinator. Today, the focus has shifted to intelligence work, with operatives identifying targets for Ukrainian drone strikes.

What Role Do Women Play in the Resistance?

Women form a critical part of Ukraine’s resistance network, leveraging their ability to move freely in occupied territories. According to Andriushchenko, “They can go places, do things, that men cannot.” Some women work in Russian civil administration roles, such as clinics and government offices, while others use aid distribution as a cover for intelligence collection.

Lesia Orobets, a former Ukrainian parliament member, highlighted the cultural significance of this role. “Vidmas were wise. They understood the secrets of the surrounding environment,” she said, referring to the term used for female resistance agents. “Here in Ukraine, our vidmas were respected for their knowledge, not burned for it.”

How Do Resistance Operatives Communicate Under Surveillance?

Resistance fighters face severe challenges in maintaining secure communication. Russian forces have deployed sophisticated surveillance systems, including cameras and the “Druge” app, which monitors phones in occupied areas. “Any phone purchased inside the occupied territories is useless for resistance work,” said Olena Biletska, leader of the Ukrainian Women’s Guard. “Devices sold there come preloaded with monitoring software.”

To bypass these restrictions, operatives use “clean” phones smuggled from free Ukraine. These devices lack Russian spyware and rely on internet hotspots for secure messaging. “In emergencies, a phone can be delivered by drone,” said one source, though such methods require real-time coordination and carry risks.

What Is the Impact of the Middle-Strike Drone Campaign?

The Ukrainian military’s “middle-strike” campaign has become a key tool in targeting Russian positions. Iegor Kravchenko, a drone operator in the 426th Unmanned Systems Regiment, said “a significant percentage of those missions” rely on intelligence from resistance networks. Coordinates from online deception operations, like the one that led to the death of a Chechen commander, are reportedly used to guide strikes.

“Our goal is to make sure Russian soldiers never reach the front line,” said Lesia Orobets. The efficiency of the campaign is evident in the speed of strikes, with some missions taking as little as 15 minutes from target identification to execution.

Why Are Children Prohibited from Joining the Resistance?

While children initially played a role in early resistance efforts, the risks became too great. “It’s not just about the risk to the kids. It’s about the risk to the whole unit,” said Dmytro. Teenagers now use subtle methods like scratching the Ukrainian letter Ї on buildings, but resistance leaders discourage such actions due to the potential for severe punishment.

One 11-year-old girl from Kherson described her experience after being taken to a Russian “basement” for interrogation. “I did not used to have this problem until the Russians took me to the basement,” she said, highlighting the dangers faced by young people.

What Are the Broader Implications for the War?

The tactics employed by Ukrainian resistance groups reflect a broader shift in the war’s dynamics. As open defiance becomes more dangerous, intelligence operations have become the primary means of resistance. “Ukraine is not losing. Russia is not winning,” wrote Anne Applebaum, noting the evolving nature of the conflict.

For American audiences, the resistance’s actions underscore the complexity of the war. “Have you seen Bucha? Kherson? Mariupol? That’s not peace,” said Olena Biletska, emphasizing the human cost and the determination of Ukrainian forces.