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[–]HornpoutFumBiddeford[S] 33 points34 points  (10 children)

The SBU liquidated bot farms in Kyiv, which carried out information sabotage for the benefit of Russian intelligence. In the course of comprehensive measures, two organizers were detained, who were massively spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine and trying to artificially discredit the Defense Forces.

For this, they created fake accounts in social networks and messengers, in particular on behalf of the Head of the Security Service and the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

In order to create the appearance of "real" pages, official posts from the SBU and GUR were reposted on these accounts. However, in personal messages, the attackers extorted money from people and offered their "help".

They also registered fake pages of Ukrainians from various regions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik-Tok, as well as on the Russian "Odnoklasnyky" and "Vkontakte". In general, the capacity of the bot farm allowed its organizers to generate more than 1,000 fake accounts every day.

For their administration, the participants installed specialized hardware and software complexes in their own homes.

The perpetrators coordinated their actions with representatives of Russian intelligence, from whom they received "methodology" for carrying out subversive activities.

In this way, the enemy hoped to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine and damage the image of our state on the international arena.

During searches of the homes of botfarm organizers, the following was found:

▪️ ⁠specialized equipment for "growing" fictitious Internet addresses;

▪️ ⁠SIM cards of mobile operators, to which controlled accounts were registered.

Unregistered firearms with ammunition and grenades were also seized from the perpetrators.

So far, the investigators of the Security Service have notified both detainees of the suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The extras are in custody.

Perpetrators face up to 7 years in prison.

[–]HornpoutFumBiddeford[S] 36 points37 points  (2 children)

The hardware pictured these images are GSM SMS Modem Pools. Understanding how the GSM SMS modem pool could have been utilized for intelligence gathering or spreading disinformation requires considering its capabilities and potential use cases:

  1. Bulk SMS Messaging: The most straightforward use would be sending bulk SMS messages to a large number of recipients. This capability could be used for various purposes, including spreading propaganda, disinformation, or targeted messaging campaigns.
  2. Automated Alerts and Notifications: The modem pool could be programmed to send automated alerts or notifications to specific individuals or groups. These alerts could be used for coordinating activities, disseminating instructions, or spreading false information to create confusion.
  3. Remote Monitoring and Control: Some GSM modem pools support remote monitoring and control functionalities. This could allow an operator to remotely monitor the status of the equipment, change configurations, or send commands to connected devices. This capability could be exploited for intelligence gathering or sabotage purposes.
  4. SMS Interception and Monitoring: In some cases, GSM modem pools can be used for intercepting and monitoring SMS messages sent over the cellular network. This could be done passively, by capturing and analyzing SMS traffic, or actively, by intercepting specific messages of interest.
  5. Spoofing Sender IDs: Certain GSM modem pools support the ability to spoof sender IDs, allowing users to send SMS messages that appear to come from a different source. This feature could be exploited for impersonation or phishing attacks, spreading false information while appearing to originate from a legitimate source.
  6. Geolocation Tracking: Depending on the capabilities of the GSM modem pool and associated software, it might be possible to track the geographical location of connected devices based on their interactions with the cellular network. This information could be used for intelligence gathering or surveillance purposes.
  7. Integration with Other Systems: The modem pool could be integrated with other systems or databases to enhance its functionality. For example, it could be connected to a database of phone numbers or demographic information to target specific groups or individuals with tailored messages.

[–]seab4ss [score hidden]  (0 children)

Wow, amazing info. Thanks.

[–]lostmesunniesayy [score hidden]  (0 children)

Some shitbird apartment block spamming the shit out of a nearby tower should draw some attention.

[–]Fcckwawa 18 points19 points  (6 children)

7 years seems kind of light for stuff like this during war...

[–]bigorangemachine [score hidden]  (1 child)

It might be 7 years just for possessing the equipment. Everything that is "Traitorous" is probably alleged and they'll review all their gear for messages & data to build a case.

[–]Abject-Interaction35 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Yes, they have got these guys nailed. They are looking at long sentences as active enemy agents in wartime.

[–]Uselesspreciousthing 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know my own preferred form of deterrence during wartime. It would be very, very public.

[–]lostmesunniesayy [score hidden]  (0 children)

Ideally that's how long they last.

[–]ryanidsteel [score hidden]  (0 children)

If I understood correctly it's 7 years for the weapons charges. The article says nothing about the potential for punishment if found guilty of espionage or anything else they can throw at them. I would be highly surprised if these two don't end up spending the rest of their lives in prison.

[–]missed_trophy [score hidden]  (0 children)

Usually we exchange em for our people in russian captivity. In this case it's a win-win situation - we can free one good person from russia, and one shitty person now sentenced to live in russia.

[–]lowfour 26 points27 points  (9 children)

All these russian trolls across Europe are using the same 5G modem racks to be able to switch IP's and post as 20 different people.

[–]An_Odd_Smell 10 points11 points  (4 children)

It's just standard russian and russia simp OP.

These subs are classic examples: you have a handful of trolls with hundreds of accounts apiece which they use not only for spreading their bullshit, but also to upvote their own comments while downvoting those of the people who call them on their shit.

YouTube has been infested with the vermin since day one (at least 2015), as have all the other platforms.

One problem related to this is the fact social media platforms and networks measure their commercial value by the number of registered accounts. There is zero incentive for the platforms to cull the bots, because doing so would hollow out their user numbers.

Right, now I have to go read more troll farm cut 'n' paste spam about how "the russian army is learning and adapting!". I see this posted almost as often as they used to spam "Don't poke the bear!" and "Winter is Coming!" and other fan favorites.

[–]scalp_eg [score hidden]  (3 children)

Google is helping russia by doin nothing

[–]An_Odd_Smell [score hidden]  (2 children)

It may be doing worse than nothing.

A few years back one group was dedicated to weeding out the fakes on Twitter. They had a few useful tools and methods. However, on reporting the individual accounts -- literally millions of them over the space of a couple years -- Twitter didn't do anything about them but instead blocked the tools and methods of the fake hunters.

Most social media platforms have the same attitude. Their stock value is all that matters to them.

Several News sites have ended public commenting on their stories and articles due to the bot activity. It was just too difficult to police when the news business is already struggling just to survive. Two of them came right out and said the botting originated in russia and -- to the surprise of some -- Israel.

Another site to end participation was IMDb, which years ago closed its message boards for the same reason. In 2019ish I spoke about it with an IMDb network admin and he said something like 90 percent or more of their traffic originated in russia and Serbia, but more and more was coming in via known russia-friendly VPN sites and apps. In the end the company simply threw in the towel and shutdown their boards.

[–]mazarax [score hidden]  (1 child)

At this point, I am lead to believe that Apartheid Edison is a ruSSian asset. Remember how he turned off Starlink during a Ukrainian attack?

[–]An_Odd_Smell [score hidden]  (0 children)

Yeah. Is it kompromat, or merely greed?

[–]scienceworksbitches [score hidden]  (2 children)

its a bit stupid to use it on enemy territory, isnt it? should be easy to notice the same sim cards always logging in from the same location. the phone carrier can see that pattern.

[–]lowfour [score hidden]  (1 child)

They probably move around a lot. Also seem to be using prepaid cards.

[–]scienceworksbitches [score hidden]  (0 children)

but its still always the same sims logging on together, moving around will not change that.

[–]sEmperh45 [score hidden]  (0 children)

There are multiple Russian trolls on Reddit who follow this pattern. You see them comment in very similar patterns. Style is similar, often now saying “I don’t like Russia but they have a point because….” Or “I don’t like Trump but he has policies that are better for the US.”! Or “Ukraine should save lives by just surrendering”. And they will make similar comments every few minutes for 3-4 hours straight and then stop.

But “another” pro-Russia (“I don’t like Russia but they are right”) poster gets on exact same Ukraine war sub and posts very similar comments non-stop for another 3-4 hours.

You can see their history and most don’t post on any other subs except that specific Ukraine sub. It appears very much like each troll is assigned a different Ukraine sub and they don’t even try to hide it.

[–]ConsequenceAfter1686 11 points12 points  (2 children)

He was a sims collector!

[–]Ok_Commission6568 5 points6 points  (0 children)

He was building SIM City.

[–]SandersSol [score hidden]  (0 children)

unlegible signature

[–]Swede_in_USA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Sims Prison edition.

[–]EntrepreneurTasty167 [score hidden]  (0 children)

My hatred for Russian bots knows no bounds, I hope that they become military targets.

[–]MetaIIicat [score hidden]  (0 children)

Good! How many of them were redditors?

[–]mazarax [score hidden]  (0 children)

I hope Ukraine turns the tables: spread misinformation that he fully cooperated with the investigators, and then threaten to hand him over to FSB, unless he actually cooperates and tells all.

[–]justjaybee16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That dude was really dedicated to wearing black shirts.

[–]lostmesunniesayy [score hidden]  (0 children)

You better get a lawyer son, you better get a real good one.

[–]vanisher_1 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Jail the fascist traitor, Italy 🇮🇹

[–]Firm-Gap-1912 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Hey no SIMS 3 anywhere?

Are these really serious hackers?

[–]mohagmush [score hidden]  (0 children)

Lol real phone sim cards and not the Sims 3 this guy over here

[–]BigMeanBalls [score hidden]  (0 children)

But where is the Sims 3?

[–]Desperate_Stretch855 [score hidden]  (0 children)

I am a patient man who believes in the rule of law, due process and all that jazz... but I'd find it very hard not to fuck these people up if I was the one kicking the door in.

[–]WeekendFantastic2941 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Is he Ukrainian or Russian?

If Ukrainian, I doubt he did it for Putin, its for money.

Greedy people can always be found, if you pay them enough.

[–]missed_trophy [score hidden]  (0 children)

We have a small amount of people who simp to russians. Also, some of them are soviet union lovers, what's even more insane.

[–]fergoshsakes -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Yeah, this was a scam, not a Russian intelligence operation.

[–]Ok-Significance-5979 [score hidden]  (0 children)

You totally missed the point of what the poster you responded too said. Are you a member of Ukrainian intelligence that you somehow know that this isn't a pro Russian operation or are you pulling it out of your ass?

[–]redditor0918273645 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So if you don’t see a user on here for a while…

[–]Cute_Conflict6410 -3 points-2 points  (6 children)

Ukraine needs to reinstate the death penalty

[–]MetaIIicat [score hidden]  (2 children)

Nah, let them spend their lives behind bars and thinking what did they do.

IN Europe we don't need BS the USA does.

[–]Cute_Conflict6410 [score hidden]  (1 child)

Ukraine can’t even fix its roads. I don’t want my tax money going housing traitors that should be swinging by the neck. And yes, I pay Ukraine income tax.

[–]MetaIIicat [score hidden]  (0 children)

Let them work behind bars: I guess there's a lot to do. Clearing the mines, work to rebuild, in the arm factories...

Edit: typo

[–]missed_trophy [score hidden]  (1 child)

Exchange material is important to save our people.

[–]Cute_Conflict6410 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Exchanges only applies to uniformed Russians captured on the battlefield. This man is not eligible to be exchanged.

[–]Cute_Conflict6410 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Everyone downvoting it from the relative safety of their apartments when I’m the one actually fighting the war. Gotta love it. Why don’t you Ukies come volunteer instead of being conscripted? We could use ya