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Ukraine intelligence sources cite 300 to 500 inside Russia
BBC News·
Two Russians working for Ukraine's GUR told a BBC documentary about sabotage inside Russia. Ivan said he helped hide drone parts targeting bombers and factories. Foma runs volunteers surveilling officers the GUR may target. Foma said about 300 to 500 Russians may do such work, a figure that is unverified. GUR confirmed both men work for the agency.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Russian military personnel face heightened personal risk if insider surveillance maps homes and vehicles of senior officers.
- Ukrainian strikes on factories and airfields depend on logistics data smuggled from inside Russia, the men claimed.
- European audiences watching the documentary may see renewed debate over covert support rules.
What's Happening
- Polish journalist Marcin Mamon filmed Ivan and Foma for the BBC World Service documentary Shadowmen.
- Foma said his network has about three dozen people across Russia, Ukraine and Europe.
- Ivan said combined drone parts could destroy targets costing many millions of dollars in one strike.
Who operates inside Russia
- Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov was assassinated in Moscow in December 2025, Foma linked to prior intelligence.
- Ukraine's military intelligence service is known as the GUR.
- Russia would charge caught saboteurs with terrorism carrying long prison terms, Ivan said.
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