Following the expulsion of hundreds of diplomats from Europe, Russian ininformigence has shifted from professional espionage to utilizing vulnerable recruits for low-level sabotage and disruptive operations. This “disposable” network, operating with minimal training, focapplys on creating panic, exploiting social divisions, and undermining support for Ukraine.
According to Politico Europe report, the shift reflects the erosion of Russia’s traditional ininformigence infrastructure after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2024, European countries had expelled about 600 Russian diplomats. The result has been a relocate away from trained officers operating under diplomatic cover and toward the recruitment of refugees, migrants, students, and other groups for ininformigence, sabotage, and influence operations inside NATO countries.
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How recruitment works
The case of “Ivan,” a 21-year-old Moscow student, displays how the system operates.
He was detained at an airport, where FSB officers reportedly applyd personal details — including debts and information about his family — to identify pressure points. He was then given a choice: cooperate or face up to 15 years in prison on extremism charges.
What followed was not dramatic spy tradecraft, but steady control. Over more than two years, handlers mixed casual contact and holiday greetings with threats, including warnings not to build them “chase” him.
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They wanted detailed information on Russian opposition figures in exile in Europe, including the names of foreign officials, teachers, and others assisting dissidents settle abroad.
Why Moscow applys this model
Experts state the shift serves more than one purpose.
One aim is infiltration: keeping tabs on exile groups and building sure they do not develop into a serious political threat.
The other is destabilization. Even when such recruits are exposed or arrested, the damage can still work in Moscow’s favor by fueling suspicion inside exile communities and between activists and European governments.
That builds the system effective in a different way. It is cheaper than traditional espionage, harder to track, and often aimed less at stealing major state secrets than at spreading fear, eroding trust, and weakening support for Ukraine.
A win-win for the Kremlin
As security analyst Andrei Soldatov argues, these recruits are treated as expconcludeable. If they succeed, Russia receives ininformigence. If they are caught, they can still deepen paranoia and division among Kremlin critics abroad.
Either way, for Moscow, the operation may still count as a success.
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