Russian authorities have issued warnings to residents in regions bordering northeastern Ukraine, urging them to avoid using dating websites and security cameras amid ongoing incursions by Ukrainian forces. The advisory, issued by Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Tuesday, highlights concerns that Ukraine may be gathering intelligence through the platforms as its offensive continues in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions.
The ministry cautioned residents against using online dating services, stating that Ukrainian operatives are actively exploiting these platforms to covertly collect information. “The enemy is actively using them to gather information,” an Interior Ministry spokesperson told Interfax.
In addition to dating sites, the advisory also discouraged the use of CCTV and security cameras, warning that Ukrainian forces are identifying IP address ranges and remotely accessing unprotected cameras. The ministry explained that this allows Kyiv to monitor activities across private properties and strategic locations such as roads and highways. “Unless necessary, it is better not to use security cameras,” the spokesperson advised.
These warnings follow Ukraine’s recent military advances into the Kursk region, which began on August 6. Since then, Ukrainian forces claim to have captured more than 1,250 square kilometers (483 square miles) of Russian territory and 92 settlements in the region. The rapid incursion has seemingly caught Moscow off guard, prompting federal emergency declarations in the Kursk and neighboring Belgorod regions.
The Russian Interior Ministry has also issued specific directives to military personnel aimed at preventing intelligence leaks. These include recommendations to remove geolocation tags and identifiable personal information from devices, avoid opening unrecognized links, and disable the “People Nearby” function on the Telegram messenger app. Troops were further advised to change nicknames on social media accounts that could reveal their military affiliation.
The use of dashcams and live-streaming while driving was also discouraged, as such footage could inadvertently reveal the movement of military equipment on public roads. This concern follows a May incident where dashcam footage posted online showed Russian troops firing rockets from a highway in the Belgorod region during operations near Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
The Ministry’s warnings reflect growing concerns over information security as Ukrainian forces continue their offensive.
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