Russia Ukraine War developments have taken a darker turn as two Russian men describe alleged covert operations carried out for Ukraine’s military intelligence inside Russia. Their accounts offer a rare, though unverified, glimpse into reconnaissance, drone support and surveillance networks operating behind enemy lines.
The men, identified by pseudonyms as Ivan and Foma, feature in a documentary examining Russian citizens who oppose the Kremlin and assist Ukraine. Their claims have been acknowledged in broad terms by Ukraine’s military intelligence service, although neither the alleged operations nor every detail of their stories can be independently confirmed.
Russia Ukraine War: What the alleged operatives say
Ivan says he worked inside Russia, helping identify military locations, observing strategic sites and preparing places where drone components could be concealed. He also provided video material that appeared to show explosives being hidden near a Russian military airfield.
He said the work involved constant danger, including one incident in which his vehicle was stopped while he was carrying homemade explosives. Ivan claims his motivation is political opposition to President Vladimir Putin’s government and resistance to the war in Ukraine.
Foma, who lives in exile in Poland, describes a different role. He says he coordinates volunteers remotely and supplies intelligence on senior military figures and facilities to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, commonly known as the GUR.
According to Foma, his network includes people in Russia, Ukraine and other parts of Europe. He says volunteers conduct surveillance and gather information, while he insists that his group does not carry out assassinations.
Questions remain over verification and responsibility
The accounts have not been independently verified. Ukraine’s GUR confirmed that the two men work with the agency but acknowledged that it cannot establish every aspect of their activity. One handler reportedly warned that even trusted operatives could potentially be acting under pressure or deception.
Ukraine has publicly discussed the use of coordinated drone strikes against what it describes as legitimate military targets inside Russia. However, Kyiv generally does not formally claim responsibility for targeted killings. The secrecy surrounding these operations makes it difficult to assess the scale of the network or determine how many people are involved.
Foma estimated that several hundred Russians may support this type of work, but that figure remains impossible to verify. He said recruitment is difficult because many opponents of the war have either left Russia or been imprisoned.
Surveillance of military targets
Foma says volunteers receive background information on people selected for observation, including photographs, personal details and vehicle descriptions. He claims they are expected to assess the information themselves before passing intelligence onwards.
He also described databases containing details about military units, storage facilities and the homes of officers and pilots. The stated aim, he said, is to understand how Russia’s military system operates and identify vulnerabilities.
Such claims underline the importance of human intelligence in the Russia Ukraine War, where drone warfare, cyber operations and covert networks increasingly complement conventional fighting.
Risk of infiltration and counter-intelligence
Both men say their networks are deliberately decentralised. They avoid large group chats, formal structures and unnecessary contact, fearing that digital traces could expose participants to Russian security services.
Ivan also said operatives may not know one another’s identities. This approach can limit the damage caused if one person is arrested, but it also creates uncertainty over loyalty and makes verification even more difficult.
The documentary raises questions about how Ukraine tests the reliability of people working inside Russia. Ivan claims that recruits may travel to a third country, meet Ukrainian agents and undergo lie-detector tests. Yet even his reported handler admitted that complete certainty was impossible.
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Why the covert campaign matters
The alleged activities show how the conflict extends beyond front lines in Ukraine. Military facilities, supply chains and senior personnel inside Russia can become targets of surveillance, sabotage or drone attacks.
At the same time, covert operations carry serious risks for civilians and for anyone suspected of helping Ukraine. Ivan says he tries to avoid civilian casualties, but the use of explosives and attacks near military sites creates the possibility of unintended harm.
The accounts also highlight the propaganda and psychological dimensions of the conflict. Foma says he wants Russian officials involved in the war to believe they may eventually face consequences. Ivan, meanwhile, argues that continued pressure could weaken the Putin regime.
Neither man knows what the future holds. Both describe fear as a constant presence, while Ivan remains convinced that Russia’s political system will eventually change.
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Key takeaway
The latest revelations about the Russia Ukraine War provide an unusual view of the secret networks supporting Ukraine from inside Russia. However, the allegations remain difficult to verify, and the uncertainty surrounding covert intelligence work is central to the story. The testimony suggests that reconnaissance, sabotage and psychological pressure are now deeply intertwined with the wider conflict.
