Russian security services are recruiting women to carry out assassinations of military personnel; the National Police have recorded six such cases
Russian security services are increasingly recruiting young women to commit particularly serious crimes against Ukrainian servicemen. This was stated by the Head of the National Police of Ukraine, Ivan Vyhovskyi.
According to him, since the start of 2026, law enforcement officers have recorded six cases of contract killings organised via the Telegram messaging app. One of these crimes was successfully prevented.
“Since the start of 2026 alone, the National Police have recorded six cases of contract killings organised via the Telegram messaging app, one of which was successfully prevented. We can see a clearly structured scheme being used by Russian coordinators,” said Vygivskyi.
According to the police, recruitment takes place via Telegram and other messaging apps. Young women are offered easy money, and all subsequent actions are coordinated remotely. In particular, they are instructed to meet military personnel via dating sites and suggest spending time together.
To carry out these tasks, the handlers transfer funds for rent, alcohol and other expenses. They also provide details of so-called ‘stash points’ where the operatives collect methadone.
Subsequently, during meetings, the soldiers are served alcoholic drinks to which a narcotic substance has been added beforehand.
“In effect, these are premeditated murders organised by the special services of the aggressor state and carried out by Ukrainian citizens. The particular cynicism lies in the fact that to carry out its plans, the enemy uses young people who often do not fully realise the consequences or are hoping for a quick profit,” emphasised the head of the National Police.
Vyhovsky recalled a recent case in the Zhytomyr region, where law enforcement officers detained a 17-year-old girl suspected of involvement in the murder of a serviceman on the instructions of a Russian handler.
Law enforcement officers have documented a similar scheme in Kharkiv. There, according to the investigation, two underage girls carried out criminal instructions regarding a soldier, received via Telegram.
The Head of the National Police emphasised that promises of reward do not exempt anyone from criminal liability.
“I would like to emphasise: no promises of reward exempt anyone from criminal liability. Individuals who agree to cooperate with representatives of the aggressor state will be held accountable in accordance with the law. At the same time, it is important to understand that the Russian special services deliberately use such operatives as expendable assets, without concern for their future fate,” he said.
According to Vyhovsky, the police are continuing to identify the organisers, handlers and perpetrators of such crimes. At the same time, he emphasised the importance of prevention and informing citizens about the recruitment methods used by Russian special services.
Separately, the head of the National Police urged parents to pay attention to their children’s communications on messaging apps, the emergence of unknown sources of income, the receipt of funds from strangers, sudden trips, renting accommodation and carrying out suspicious tasks.
He also appealed to military personnel to be cautious when making acquaintances via the internet and social media, as such platforms can be used to establish contacts, gather information and plan crimes.
