US Calls for Russian Citizens to Engage in Intelligence Gathering

The United States intelligence agency has released a video on Telegram, urging Russian civilians to participate in intelligence activities. This was reported by Euronews.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) called on Russian citizens in the video on Monday to provide intelligence information about their country. The target audience of the video appears to be those dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin's policies.

In the brief video from the US intelligence agency, a Russian official and his wife, along with their child, are shown apparently struggling with life at their home. It suggests that ordinary Russians can do something to improve the situation by providing intelligence information to the CIA while still remaining patriotic.

“The CIA wants to know the truth about Russia, and we are looking for trusted individuals who can tell us that truth, and your information could be more valuable than you know,” the agency states in the video.

“They have previously used other social networks, but are now focusing on the encrypted Telegram messaging service because it's a known means for Russians to obtain information about politics and the Ukraine war,” a CIA official told AFP under anonymity. “Our goal is to provide them with the safest possible way to connect with us,” the official added.