Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) stated Thursday that it foiled a NATO-backed Ukrainian effort to recruit members of Russias Youth Army.The FSB declared that Ukraines GUR intelligence service sent out phishing emails to schools in Moscow and the surrounding area after intercepting and modifying messages from the Youth Army and the military-patriotic education center Avangard.Ukraines Defense Ministry looked for to gather individual data on adolescents for their potential recruitment and participation in intelligence and subversive activities versus Russias security, the FSB stated in a statement.The company stated schools in Moscow and the Moscow region had been alerted about the alleged Ukrainian operation.It included that an examination was ongoing.Last month, Russias Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, warned that both young and elderly Russians dealt with a growing risk of being coaxed by immigrants into devoting sabotage.President Vladimir Putin established the Youth Army, or Yunarmia, in 2015.
Russias Defense Ministry backs the organization.Supporters describe it as a patriotic youth organization that cultivates civic engagement and prepares young people for military service.
Critics, however, argue that it serves as a tool for consolidating Kremlin power and have actually compared it to the Hitler Youth.