Inside the shadowy world of anti-Putin sabotage from within Russia

The ongoing conflict has brought to light the secretive and dangerous world of anti-Putin sabotage operating directly within Russian borders. Recently, two Russian men came forward to share rare accounts of the covert operations they claim to have conducted in support of Ukrainian intelligence. These operations reportedly target vital military assets, infrastructure, and personnel inside Russia, presenting a unique challenge to state security forces.

One of the operatives, identified under the pseudonym Ivan, claims to have operated directly from within Russia to facilitate Ukrainian drone attacks against strategic bombers and critical munitions factories. Working from his home soil, Ivan's activities highlight the internal vulnerabilities faced by the Russian military apparatus. Meanwhile, another operative known as Foma operates from exile in Poland, managing a network of undercover volunteers stationed across Russia.

Foma's network focuses primarily on high-level reconnaissance, surveilling senior Russian military officers who may be targeted by the GUR, Ukraine's military intelligence service. Foma maintains that his volunteers strictly handle surveillance rather than direct attacks. However, the connection to lethal operations became apparent following high-profile incidents, such as the assassination of Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov in Moscow, where Foma admitted to supplying crucial intelligence.

Getting access to active saboteurs on the ground is exceedingly rare, though previous reports have hinted at the existence of underground resistance networks. Ukraine's GUR has confirmed that both Ivan and Foma are collaborating with the agency, although officials admit they cannot fully verify every detail or guarantee absolute trust. The handler for Ivan noted the inherent paranoia of intelligence work, stating they trust no one completely.

Despite the challenges in independent verification, the broad tactics described by the men align with acknowledged Ukrainian strategies. Kyiv has openly discussed employing coordinated drone strikes against strategic targets inside Russia and utilizing clandestine operatives. Furthermore, while Ukraine maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding specific targeted killings, intelligence officials have previously hinted at involvement in high-profile assassinations of senior Russian military figures.

The exact scale of this internal resistance remains unknown. Foma estimates that between 300 and 500 individuals are engaged in similar clandestine work for Ukraine inside Russia, though these figures cannot be independently confirmed. As the conflict grinds on, the activities of these shadow networks underscore a hidden front line operating deep within Russian territory, driven by individuals fundamentally opposed to the current government's agenda.