Moscow advises Kursk inhabitants to steer clear of dating platforms.
It seems the cyber war between Russia and Ukraine is affecting the everyday lives of their citizens, even soldiers. According to recent reports, Moscow is now giving directives regarding mobile phones and smartphones. The concern is that the adversary might be gathering information.
In three districts near Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Interior urgently advises disabling dating apps and halting the functioning of unsecured surveillance cameras. The ministry believes the enemy is tracking a significant number of IP addresses within Russian territory and remotely accessing unguarded cameras that monitor various locations, from private farms to critical infrastructure like major roads and highways.
Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion for over two years, recently launched a counteroffensive about two weeks ago, venturing into the Russian region of Kursk. This marked the first time Ukraine managed to transpose the conflict onto Russian soil. Though Russia still maintains control over substantial parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Moscow: Steer clear of nicknames like "Lyosha FSB"
Russian soldiers have been advised by the Ministry of Interior to avoid opening texts from unknown sources and delete conversations with colleagues if they are apprehended. Citizens living on borders are urged to keep quiet about military convoys on social media.
Personnel in military, police, and intelligence agencies are advised to delete images from their phones that reveal their professional identities and should also avoid using nicknames related to their profession online. For instance, "Lyosha FSB" is a moniker for the FSB, Russia's domestic intelligence agency.
"Employees in the energy sector, including the nuclear sector, should detach their professional affiliations from their social media profiles to avoid being targeted by enemy intelligence services," the ministry concluded.
The Commission issued a warning to Russian military and intelligence personnel about using professional nicknames online, such as "Lyosha FSB." The Commission also advised individuals living near the border to refrain from sharing information about military convoys on social media.
