Ukraine has created a network of agents inside Russia who have been carrying out sabotage at various sites since the outbreak of the war, and began to provide them with UAVs to organize attacks. CNN writes about this, citing sources in American intelligence.
American officials told the publication that it was these agents who carried out the drone attack on the Kremlin in early May. They launched drones from the territory of the Russian Federation, and did not deliver them from Ukraine to Moscow. It is unclear whether a network of pro-Ukrainian agents has been involved in other UAV attacks in recent days, including an attack in the Moscow region and an attack on oil refineries in southern Russia.
U.S. officials believe Ukraine has set up sabotage cells made up of pro-Ukrainian sympathizers well trained in this type of warfare. At the same time, the material says that Ukraine provided them with Ukrainian-made UAVs. And there is no evidence that any strikes were carried out by U.S.-provided drones, two U.S. officials told CNN.
Officials were unable to tell exactly how the Ukrainian side managed to deliver the drones behind the front line. According to the other two sources, Ukraine has set up smuggling routes that could be used to send UAVs or their components to Russia, where they could later be assembled.
A European intelligence official noted that the Russian-Ukrainian border is huge and very difficult to control, making it suitable for smuggling. It must be borne in mind that this is a peripheral region of Russia, and "cash works wonders," the official said.
Who exactly controls the agents is also unclear, but US officials believe the Ukrainian intelligence community is involved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has set the general parameters for what his intelligence and security services are allowed to do, but not every operation requires his signature, sources said.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), who was asked to comment on the situation, suggested to CNN that "mysterious explosions and drone strikes on Russian soil will continue."
Over the past year, fires and explosions have occurred on the territory of Russia at oil depots, railways, in the buildings of military registration and enlistment offices, in warehouses and pipelines. In recent weeks, an increase in such attacks in Russia has been recorded. One source familiar with the intelligence called it "the culmination of months-long efforts" by Ukrainians to build infrastructure for sabotage.
“For several months, the Ukrainian authorities have been pushing rather aggressively for more aggressive action. And, of course, there was a certain readiness for this at the highest level. The problem has always been their ability to do it,” said an anonymous source.
On the morning of May 30, there was an attack by drones on Moscow and the region. According to preliminary information, about 25 UAVs participated in the attack. At least three crashed into residential buildings, one of them carrying explosive devices that did not detonate. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in this way Ukraine is avenging an attack on its intelligence headquarters, which was not previously reported by either side. At the same time, the day before, Russia shelled Kiev and the region, the attack was repeated on the morning of May 30 – one person died that day.
Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under the article “terrorist act” (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) after an attempted attack by two drones on the Kremlin on May 3. In response to the Kremlin's accusations, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev is defending its territories and will not attack Moscow or Putin.