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Russian Operatives Recruit Teen Girls on Telegram for Soldier Killings

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ukraine says Russian operatives recruit teenage girls via Telegram for contract killings of its soldiers.
Ukrainian police detained a 17-year-old girl in Zhytomyr after she allegedly poisoned a serviceman on a suspected Russian operative’s instructions.
Police chief Ivan Vyhivskyi reported six Telegram-arranged contract-killing cases this year, one foiled.
Recruiters promise easy money, direct girls to locate soldiers on dating sites, and supply methadone to lace drinks.

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Story summary

Ukraine says Russian operatives recruit teenage girls via Telegram for contract killings of its soldiers.
Ukrainian police detained a 17-year-old girl in Zhytomyr after she allegedly poisoned a serviceman on a suspected Russian operative’s instructions.
Police chief Ivan Vyhivskyi reported six Telegram-arranged contract-killing cases this year, one foiled.
Recruiters promise easy money, direct girls to locate soldiers on dating sites, and supply methadone to lace drinks.