MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. Ukraine’s secret services have been recruiting Russian nationals under the guise of the US-based RAND Corporation, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed.
"The FSB has obtained information that representatives of the Ukrainian special services work under cover of a powerful US organization, RAND Corporation, to recruit agents on Russian soil and collect sensitive data about how Russia conducts its special military operation in Ukraine," the FSB specified.
According to the FSB, Ukrainian spies approach Russian nationals, preferably those with links to the military, through popular messaging apps in Russia with a proposal to collaborate with the US non-profit organization for a decent remuneration.
The Ukrainian recruiters pose as employees of RAND Europe, the US firm’s European arm, the FSB shared.
"These contacts pursue the goal of getting access to classified information about the tactical use of strategic aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, as well as the number and deployment of Russian troops taking part in the special military operation," the FSB concluded.
The Research and Development Corporation, or RAND, is an American nonprofit think tank that engages in research and provides consulting services to government agencies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The bulk of RAND research on US security has been classified. Its funding sources include US federal and state governments as well as foreign governments, agencies and ministries as well as international organizations, colleges, universities, foundations, lobby unions and other nonprofits.