Through the joint efforts of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, the "Espanyol" brigade of football fans fighting in Ukraine, and a neo-Nazi nicknamed "Topaz," Telegram bots were developed for recruiting saboteurs abroad. This information is reported by the investigative project "Systema."
In August, journalists discovered a video promoting a bot named GRU. The video used church hymns and radio interference sounds, and also showed footage of the Soviet flag over the Reichstag, Yuri Gagarin, and Vladimir Putin. The creators of the video appealed to people outside Russia, urging them to assist the special services.
Upon activating the bot, an employee of "Systema" immediately received a message offering to help Russian intelligence in the "struggle for history, culture, and values" against a "gang of rabid scum from Western governments."
Next, the bot requested a choice of communication language—Russian or English—and the filling out of a questionnaire with personal data. The "Systema" journalist introduced himself as a resident of Riga "with access to various facilities." Soon, a real person contacted him, writing: "Good evening. We are glad that there are still patriots of Russia. How can you help us?"
The bot coordinator suggested the journalist take photos of Ukrainian fuel tankers in the Riga port. When he inquired about payment, the operator replied: "Go take a walk, Vasya! You're a disgraceful ****. They'll pay you ****. Money is unnecessary. Love for the motherland should warm and feed you. You want money for photos, seriously? There are a dozen like you just in Riga. No one else thought to ask for money for photos. Goodbye."