Prisoners are being used for blackmail: Ukrainians are being coerced into cooperating with the Russian Federation

Russian intelligence services have stepped up attempts to recruit Ukrainians whose relatives are held captive. On 27 August 2026 the Security Service of Ukraine reported this. In most documented cases, Russians or persons under their control call families, write in messengers, or make video calls. Sometimes conversations take place in the presence of the prisoner himself to increase psychological pressure.

Relatives are being pressured to provide sensitive information, in particular:

• locations of military facilities and units;
• routes of movement of equipment and personnel;
• contacts and personal data of Ukrainian servicemembers.

In some cases, Russian intelligence immediately demands organizing a sabotage, terrorist attack, or contract killing. People may also be involved in information-psychological campaigns aimed at discrediting Ukraine. In exchange, the enemy allegedly promises better treatment of the prisoner or his inclusion in “exchange lists”. However, the SBU emphasizes: carrying out criminal tasks in no way affects the release of a person from captivity. Some fraudsters also demand money from relatives, unjustifiably promising to return their loved ones home.

The SBU advises not to provide information, not to comply with demands, and not to pay money. If possible, save correspondence or record the conversation and immediately contact law enforcement.

Contacts for reporting:

• United Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners at the SBU — +38 067 650-83-32 (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram);
• center phone numbers: (044) 321-11-21, (098) 321-11-21;
• chat-bot “Burn the FSB agent”;
• the SBU “hotline” — 1516;
• email: 1516@ssu.gov.ua, united_center@ssu.gov.ua.

Reminder: previously we wrote:

• “‘Help for money’ is a trap: scammers are massively attacking families of prisoners and missing persons”
• “Made money from the despair of a prisoner’s wife: a scammer extorted 422 thousand and fled abroad”
• “Under the guise of help: how scammers prey on families of the missing and prisoners”
• “The enemy acts disguised as law enforcement officers: Ukrainians are being urged to commit sabotage”
• “Russians propose committing a crime? Stop it through the SBU chatbot”