Ukrainian police uncover 16 cases of Russia recruiting teens for military vehicle arson
Ukrainian law enforcement has uncovered 16 cases where Russian operatives recruit Ukrainian teenagers through social media to commit arson on military vehicles, Yuriy Kuzmenko, First Deputy Chief of the Criminal Search Department of the Ukrainian National Police, announced on national television on June 19.
These incidents were reported in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, with authorities already identifying and holding accountable the perpetrators in 11 cases.
"At first glance, teenagers are given seemingly harmless tasks," Kuzmenko said.
"For instance, teenagers are asked to paint graffiti, often with anti-Ukrainian messages, with promises of rewards ranging from a few to 20,000 hryvnias ($490). Once compliant, security services recognize their susceptibility and then entice them with promises of easy money, typically offering from $3,000 to $5,000, to engage in criminal acts like setting fire to military vehicles."
Arson against military vehicles entails criminal liability, carrying penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison he said.
Authorities arrested a woman and her 14-year-old son on June 18 on suspicion of setting fire to two military vehicles.
The National Police reported on June 14 that Russian special services offered money to minors for setting fire to military vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to destabilize the situation in the country. Minors involved in criminal activities at Russia's behest have been apprehended.
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