Russia FSB relies on Ukrainian minors for criminal activities disguised as “quest games” – Source: securityaffairs.com

Ukraine’s SBU uncovered an FSB espionage campaign recruiting minors for criminal activities disguised as “quest games.”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU or SSU) uncovered a new espionage campaign linked to Russia’s intelligence agency Federal Security Service (FSB), which consists of involving minor Ukrainians in criminal activities under the guise of “quest games”.

In Kharkiv, Ukrainian law enforcement identified and detained two FSB agent groups of 15-16-year-olds tasked with reconnaissance, coordinating attacks, and arson under the guise of “quest games.”

Under “quest game rules,” the youngsters received geolocation data from the Russian intelligence agency and were tasked with photographing, filming, and describing designated locations.

“Each of the intelligence groups sent the intelligence obtained in this way to its joint FSB supervisor via anonymous chat rooms.” reads the press release published by the SSU. “Later, the occupiers used intelligence information to carry out air strikes on Kharkiv. SBU officers detained all members of the enemy groups while they were photographing Ukrainian air defense installations defending the city.”

The Security Service of Ukraine revealed that Russian agents also targeted transformers supporting Ukrainian troop movements. One of the organizers detained by Ukraine’s SSU faces life imprisonment for sabotage.

Authorities are pursuing other network participants, including an FSB liaison, a Russian police officer charged in absentia with sabotage under martial law.

“Comprehensive measures are currently underway to hold other network participants accountable.” concludes the SSU.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, SSU)