In a shocking trend, Ukrainian teenagers are being recruited via Telegram to engage in sabotage against their own nation amidst the ongoing conflict. One such case revolves around Vlad, an 18-year-old who traveled 500 miles to collect a bomb, promised $2,000 for his act. He described his fear and reluctance while preparing the device to plant in a military conscription van. Fortunately, Ukrainian security services were able to thwart the attack, and Vlad now awaits trial for terrorism charges.

Authorities indicate that over 800 Ukrainians have been recruited by Russian handlers, with 240 identified as minors, some as young as 11. The recruitment method is alarming; cyber security experts note aggressive tactics aimed at manipulating vulnerable youth, sometimes targeting children as young as nine.

Various social media platforms, including Telegram and TikTok, play a pivotal role in these recruitments, often under the guise of seeking job opportunities. The urgency for cash has driven many youth, including Vlad, to accept dangerous jobs without understanding the full impact of their actions. As future legal consequences loom, Vlad warns others against following a similar path, claiming that the promise of quick cash isn't worth the risk of potentially lethal repercussions.