A Ukrainian teenager says he was promised $2,000 to plant a bomb in a van used by the country’s military conscription service.
“When I was connecting the wires, I thought it could explode right there. I thought I might die,” he told the BBC.
The teen — referred to as Vlad for safety reasons — is one of hundreds of minors and young adults the Ukrainian government claims were recruited online by Russian handlers and paid to carry out sabotage inside Ukraine.
According to Vlad, he was instructed to set up a phone to live-stream the scene so the explosive could be detonated remotely when someone entered the vehicle.
Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, intercepted the plot and prevented the attack. Now 18, Vlad awaits trial on terrorism charges that could lead to a 12-year sentence.
Speaking from a secure detention center in Rivne with his lawyer present, he admitted he could have contributed to someone’s death.
“I thought about it. But nobody likes conscription officers… I thought I’d be like everyone else.”
A Growing Pattern of Child Recruitment
The SBU says that in the past two years, more than 800 Ukrainians have been identified as being recruited by Russia — including 240 minors, some as young as 11.
Cybersecurity expert Anastasiia Apetyk says recruiters have attempted to target children as young as nine or ten.
Andriy Nebytov, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s National Police, says minors are targeted because they are easier to manipulate.
“The enemy is not ashamed of using children to make explosives from household chemicals and plant them in places like military recruitment offices,” he says.
Telegram, TikTok and Gaming Platforms Used for Recruitment
Officials report that most recruitment takes place via Telegram, but also occurs on TikTok and even video game platforms.
Most recruits are motivated not by ideology but by money.
Vlad says he had no prior criminal history and did not support Russia. He joined Telegram channels looking for remote work and soon received a message offering tasks for payment.
His first task involved retrieving a grenade — which wasn’t at the location. He was still paid $30.
Next, he was asked to burn a van at a conscription office and film it. He received about $100 in cryptocurrency, far less than the promised $1,500. He was told the rest would come after planting the bomb.
Cash for Chaos: How the Online Networks Operate
Telegram channels used for recruitment often share videos of arson and explosions they claim to have ordered — though many cannot be independently verified.
Using an alias and burner phone, BBC reporters joined several channels. They were quickly offered payments for arson attacks, with price lists ranging from $1,500 for torching a post office to $3,000 for attacking a bank.
Even ordinary Ukrainians browsing Telegram groups for jobs — including groups for refugees or beauty advice — can stumble upon high-pay offers that turn out to be sabotage missions.
Despite multiple reports by the BBC, only a small number of these channels have been removed by Telegram. One channel even gained 750 new subscribers during the investigation.
Telegram said:
“Calls to violence or destruction of property are explicitly forbidden on Telegram and are removed whenever discovered.”
International Concerns and Deadly Consequences
European governments have also reported Russian agents recruiting young men for vandalism or surveillance. In the UK, six men were jailed for a Russian-ordered arson attack on a London warehouse supplying aid to Ukraine.
In Ukraine, several suspected saboteurs have died while carrying explosives. The SBU claims Russian handlers have intentionally detonated devices remotely, knowing the teens would be killed.
In March, a 17-year-old died and a 15-year-old was severely injured when a device exploded before reaching its target.
Russia denies responsibility, accusing Ukraine of similar tactics — claims that cannot be independently verified.
A Warning to Other Teens
Vlad says he wants to warn others who may be tempted:
“It’s not worth it. They will cheat you, and you’ll end up in prison like me. Or you’ll carry a bomb and it will blow you up.”
