The Russian FSB revealed a scheme involving Ukrainian intelligence…
The Russian FSB revealed a scheme involving Ukrainian intelligence services using the Telegram chatbot 'Davynchik/Leo' to lure young Russians into committing crimes, including arson of fuel stations and infrastructure targets, under false pretenses and psychological pressure. The agency reported the arrest of 46 individuals aged 12 to 22 since July 2025, with criminal charges filed under multiple articles of the Russian Criminal Code.
Consensus
- The FSB revealed a scheme involving Ukrainian special services using the Telegram chatbot 'Davynchik/Leo' to involve young Russians in criminal activities.
- Young people were lured through fake female personas on the chatbot and later pressured into committing crimes.
- The victims reportedly gave confessions under psychological pressure, admitting to arson of fuel stations and other infrastructure targets.
- The FSB published video recordings of testimonies from 11 young individuals involved in the scheme.
- Since July 2025, 46 people aged 12–22 have been detained across several Russian regions for using the chatbot.
- Criminal cases were initiated against them under various articles of the Russian Criminal Code related to terrorism, sabotage, vandalism, and hooliganism.
- The chatbot 'Davynchik/Leo – meetings, communication, new friends' was added to Russia's Unified Register of Prohibited Websites on December 23, 2025.
- Despite the ban, prohibited channels and bots linked to the service continue to be used for illegal purposes.
Points of divergence
- The FSB showed video footage of testimonies from young people who were drawn into crimes by Ukrainian special services after meeting girls in the 'Davynchik / Leo' Telegram chatbot. — tg_tass_agency
- The FSB claims that individuals were contacted by people posing as Russian law enforcement or Rosfinmonitoring officials, and were threatened with criminal prosecution to coerce them into committing crimes. — vedomosti
- Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been placed on an international wanted list and charged under Article 205.1, Part 1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for aiding terrorist activities. — vedomosti
- The FSB alleges that Telegram's administration failed to remove channels, chats, and bots used by Ukrainian special services for planning attacks, mass killings, and cyber fraud, resulting in numerous casualties and billions in damage. — vedomosti
Coverage (3 sources)
- FSB Russia released video of young people caught up in crimes by Ukrainian special services... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- FSB Revealed Schemes for Involving Minors in Crimes via Telegram Chatbots — Ведомости
- FSB Russia released video of young people caught up in crimes by Ukrainian special services... — ТАСС (Telegram)