The Federal Bureau of Investigation is attempting to recruit Russian-speaking individuals who are upset about the country’s invasion of Ukraine through social media ads, according to a new report.
The Washington Post released their report, saying that the ads are targeting cellphones located inside or just outside the Russian Embassy in Washington.
Ads are appearing on Facebook, Google, and Twitter with careful geographic targets. The Post reported that a reporter standing next to the embassy’s stone walls had one of the ads pop up on their Facebook on Wednesday morning.
However, when the reporter stood on the other side of the street, the ads did not populate for the reporter, the Post shared.
As for the ads themselves, quotes from Russian President Vladimir Putin are being used to encourage those working or visiting the embassy to talk with the FBI.
The quote itself comes from a meeting last month where Putin criticized Sergey Naryshkin, Russia’s chief intelligence official. Putin corrected the spy boss when he was discussing the nation’s position on eastern regions of Ukraine.
The ad, in Russian, has Putin saying: “Speak plainly, Sergey Yevgenyevich,” while Naryshikin stammered, not knowing what Putin wanted.
The ad attempts to remind Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service workers that Putin had publicly humiliated their boss.
Then, using Putin’s words, the ad goes on to make its appeal, “speak plainly… We’re ready to listen.”
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Above the ad, the text reads, “The information provided to the FBI by the public is the most effective means of combating threats. If you have information that could help the FBI, please contact us.”
The purpose of the ads is to use Russian diplomatic officials or spies who are not on board with the invasion of Ukraine for the benefit of U.S. intelligence.
Experts have reported that the invasion has been a huge opportunity for the U.S. intelligence community to recruit new sources.
So for those wondering how the ads are getting in touch with possible turncoats, it features a link to an FBI counterintelligence program webpage that gives more information on how to contact the agency. The ad encourages those with information to come to the FBI Washington Field Office to talk in person in Russian and English.
The FBI released a statement saying Russia “has long been a counterintelligence threat to the U.S. and the FBI will continue to adapt our investigative and outreach techniques to counter that threat and others. The FBI would like to speak to anyone who can help us minimize those threats and keep our country safe.”
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