As Putin falters in Ukraine, CIA recruits Russian spies through social media

The U.S.’s chief intelligence agency has turned to the favored social media platform in Russia known as Telegram to launch its latest recruitment effort and appeal to Russians opposed to the war in Ukraine. 

On Monday night the CIA posted a recruitment video in Russian to not only Telegram but YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. 

“The CIA wants to know the truth about Russia, and we are looking for reliable people who know and can tell us,” the agency said in a statement with the video posted to YouTube. “Your information may be more valuable than you think.”

CIA

The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency is shown at the entrance of its headquarters in McLean, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2022. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)

FBI TURNS TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO RECRUIT RUSSIANS FOR INTELLIGENCE GATHERING

The U.S. intelligence agency took similar steps last year when it appealed to Russian citizens disillusioned with the war in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin by launching a social media campaign. But the CIA has now taken it one step further and created a Telegram channel titled “Securely Contacting CIA.”

The CIA’s campaign last year was described to Fox News as “fruitful,” and the top intelligence agency is looking to gain information in numerous sectors within Russian society. 

“Are you a military officer? Do you work in the field of intelligence, diplomacy, science, high technology, or are you dealing with people who do this? Do you have information about the economy or the top leadership of the Russian Federation? Contact us,” the CIA appealed. 

Putin war protest

An activist holds a poster during a peaceful gathering of members of the Russian diaspora in the main square of Krakow, Poland, on Feb. 25, 2023. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

‘HAVANA SYNDROME’ NOT LIKELY CAUSED BY FOREIGN ADVERSARY, INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY FINDS

The video, titled “Why I made contact with the CIA: My decision,” depicts fictitious Russians who made the decision to contact the CIA and details how to safely get in touch with the agency.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russian media Tuesday that the Telegram channel – which already has over 5,200 subscribers – is a “very convenient resource for tracking those who apply.”

But the CIA maintains that an individual can securely contact the agency through its “Tor hidden service” and provided a link for instructions on how to safely do so. 

Ukraine war protests

Russian police officers detain a female protester during an anti-war protest on Sept. 21, 2022, in Moscow. (Contributor/Getty Images)

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The agency additionally urged patience after an individual does make contact. 

“Please be patient. We thank you for your courage,” the CIA said. “We carefully review the submitted documents in order to give an appropriate response and at the same time ensure your safety.”

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Liverpool great in tears after final match at Anfield



CNN
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It was almost the perfect fairytale sendoff.

With Liverpool trailing 1-0 against Aston Villa, facing a defeat that would have ended all mathematical hope of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League next season, Roberto Firmino came off the bench and fired in an 89th minute equalizer in his last ever match at Anfield.

Firmino has so often created goals for Mo Salah over the years, but this time it was the Egyptian’s turn to become provider – his cross finding Firmino in the center of the box with the Brazilian prodding it into the net.

But even a draw couldn’t dampen the emotion of the occasion as Firmino was reduced to tears by the crowd’s tribute to him.

Liverpool fans waved jerseys and cries of “Si Senor” reverberated around Anfield while Firmino’s teammates formed a guard of honor for him and other departing players, including James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.

Firmino's late goal salvaged a draw for Liverpool.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, it wasn’t the result that you want,” Firmino said afterwards, according to Liverpool’s official website.

“But the last game at home with the fans, my family here, everyone, friends, I was very emotional and happy for this, to score my last goal at home. With this shirt, this big club, I’m very happy.”

Since he was signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers in 2015, the popular Brazilian became a lynchpin of the team that Jurgen Klopp built, winning the title and the Champions League during his time at the club – and scoring on Saturday marked his 110th goal for Liverpool.

“In the beginning when I arrived it was hard to adapt to the climate, the football, everything. As for every player, it’s the same,” Firmino said, according to the club’s website.

“But thank you God, we achieved everything here, we won everything together. Without my teammates, my family, the manager, you cannot do this. I’m very proud of the history, for everything we achieved together.”

And Liverpool fans ensured that there will be a piece of Firmino in the city a little while longer, unveiling a mural painted on a wall near the stadium to honor his achievements at the club.

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