Cyber deception blamed as arson wave hits Russian cities
In Russia, there has been a series of attempted arson attacks on banks, shopping centres, and public offices in recent days. Numerous videos showing fires at various locations have surfaced online. Government agencies have claimed that Ukrainian hackers are deceiving retirees, although Kyiv denies recruiting elderly individuals.
Many of the reports shared by Russian media and government representatives are likely not true. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.
Residents of Russia have been feeling increasingly unsafe in recent weeks. For many months, Ukrainians have been shelling targets in the Kursk region. Recently, our eastern neighbours have been more aggressive. Cities further into the country, such as Kazan, which is approximately 805 kilometres (or about 500 miles) from Moscow, are being attacked with drones.
The attack on General Igor Kirillov, who died after an electric scooter explosion in Moscow, resonated widely around the world. Kirillov was accused of using chemical weapons in Ukraine and developing a nuclear "dirty bomb." A citizen of Uzbekistan was accused of the assassination, alleged to have been recruited by Ukraine with promises of money and entry into the European Union. Ukrainians admitted to the attack, but that was not the end.
According to the independent portal "Moscow Times," there has been a series of arson attempts over the past three days targeting banks, shopping centres, post offices, and government buildings in Russia. Up to 20 attempts have been recorded to start fires using small explosive devices or fireworks, mainly in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the surrounding areas.
According to the government agency TASS, the individuals involved in these actions were recruited by online fraudsters, who offered them money to carry out the attacks. Surveillance video footage, shared on social media, shows some of the suspects using mobile phones to film the arson attempts.
The targets of the attacks included state bank ATMs, shopping centres, post offices, military offices, police vehicles, and other administrative buildings. Sberbank, a state bank, reported a 30% increase in arson attempts in the past week. Most of those detained after the attack attempts are reported to be retirees.
The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of the attacks. According to the FSB, Kyiv hackers are impersonating security service agents. They then call older citizens and ask them to set fire to important facilities in exchange for money or regaining access to blocked accounts. Kyiv has not responded to the accusations from Moscow.
