Russia’s intelligence reportedly gains access to Ukrainian brigade chief’s smartphone

Russian security services have reportedly gained access to the smartphone of the chief of staff of a Ukrainian army brigade, according to RIA Novosti, citing Russian officials.

“Russian intelligence managed to access the smartphone of Lt. Col. H. Murzanovsky, chief of staff of the 159th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” the report said.

RIA Novosti added that Murzanovsky received a congratulatory message on the brigade’s second anniversary via a popular messaging app, which contained a malicious link.

As a result, the officer allegedly paid a “generous monetary reward” to restore access to his account and did not inform his command to avoid potential disciplinary action.