“Swatting” is a dangerous cybercrime that is gaining momentum in 2025. It is based on collecting data through OSINT, using spoofing, and sometimes even the victims’ smart devices.
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The Security Service of Ukraine announced the detention of a resident of Donetsk Oblast, who, as the investigation established, was recruited by the Russian FSB via TikTok to spy near the hotline of the front – Pokrovska.
The 43-year-old employee of a coal mining company from the city of Myrnograd, according to the investigation, photographed the positions of Ukrainian military and artillery in the territory controlled by Ukraine and sent information via secure messengers. The SBU claims that the FSB tracked the woman down via TikTok, drawing attention to her online broadcasts. The suspect sent the photos via a smartphone that was seized during her detention at a checkpoint. She remained in the combat zone, while evacuating her children to safer regions.
The woman is charged with treason under martial law, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment with confiscation of property. Social media is being used as a recruiting tool in the context of information warfare, tempting with “easy money”.
The SBU urges citizens to be vigilant about suspicious contacts on social media, especially on TikTok and Telegram, and to immediately report suspicious offers. Russian special services are using new formats of influence, and even a regular stream on TikTok can lead to recruitment.
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