Front Burner Inside the shadow war in Ukraine
Oct 9, 2025
In this discussion, Ben Makuch, a national security reporter with a keen focus on covert operations related to the Russia–Ukraine war, unveils the escalating shadow war in Ukraine. He shares insights on covert attacks, civilian recruitment tactics via Telegram, and the notorious neo-Nazi group, The Base. Makuch highlights Ukraine's strategies against Russian operatives and assesses the impact of these tactics on the conflict's brutality and prospects for peace. He reveals the struggles of ordinary Ukrainians amidst the chaos while navigating the complexities of warfare.
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Episode notes
Frankenstein IED In Kyiv
- Ben Makuch described an IED found in Kyiv made of plastic or plaster with bolts and nails to cause shrapnel injuries.
- He said Ukrainian authorities believe Russian intelligence provided it to a teenager to plant at a recruitment centre.
Russia's Covert Campaign Inside Ukraine
- Makuch explains Russia uses spies and special forces to carry out covert killings and sabotage inside Ukraine.
- He describes a public July killing of a Ukrainian SBU colonel tied to Russian intelligence as illustrative of that campaign.
Recruitment Via Telegram And Deception
- Russia advertises payment for sabotage via Telegram channels and cold calls to recruit attackers or trick people into violence.
- Makuch notes operatives sometimes impersonate Ukrainian authorities to dupe recruits into committing attacks.
