Russia’s Special Services Trying to Intimidate Ukrainian Defenders with Personal Threats

According to the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the occupiers are sending massive messages to the phones of Ukrainian service members, urging them to violate oath, lay down arms, surrender, or side with the enemy.

Threats are intensified with personal data (first name and last name of a person, tax identification number, place of registration, and sometimes data on the number and composition of the family).

The threats are sent via SMS and Telegram, Viber, Signal, and WhatsApp mobile messengers.

The text of the threats refers to the alleged exact location of the person who received the message. It is noted that, in case of continuation of service, accurate missile strikes will be launched on the place of residence of the phone owner and his family.

“The threats of this type are aimed primarily at destabilising the psychological climate in the units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, sow doubt, and degrade morale,” the Chief Directorate of Intelligence stated.

The Ministry of Defence adds that the personal data of service members are usually outdated: a person has long changed the place of registration, moved to another area, changed the military unit of service, is no longer in military service, and so on.

“Thus, there is no doubt that the threats sent are ordinary manipulations with the human psyche,” Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine noted.

Natalia Tolub