Intercepted call reveals Russian citizens doubt official narratives
A resident of Russia’s Belgorod Oblast believes her country is in dire straits but accuses authorities of hiding the truth from the population, according to a Dec. 11 release of an intercepted phone call by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
“I just don’t get it anymore. I heard on one program that Russia is in such deep trouble, but we don’t know it because no one’s telling us the truth,” the woman said in the intercepted call. She continued, “They kept saying 2023 would be a ‘turning point,’ then 2024, and now they’re saying 2025.”
Insights from HUR interceptions
This isn’t the first instance of intercepted calls shedding light on issues within Russia.
On Aug. 20, HUR released another recording, revealing a Belgorod Oblast resident recounting an incident in nearby Kursk Oblast, where drunk Russian soldiers allegedly opened fire on a civilian vehicle.
“Somewhere in Kursk Oblast, our guys, soldiers from our side, saw a car with a Z symbol on it and shot at it. They were drunk—four soldiers,” the woman complained in nearly fluent Ukrainian during the call.
On Nov. 26, HUR intercepted a call involving North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast to support battles against Ukrainian forces. The recording captured a commanding officer conducting a communication check and urging his troops to "move quickly."
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