Ukraine’s SBU security service detained two hackers in Kyiv suspected of spreading Russian propaganda through fake social media accounts impersonating Ukrainian state officials.

According to the SBU’s statement, the two suspects allegedly shared disinformation about the war in Ukraine and attempted to discredit the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

For this purpose, they created fake social media accounts impersonating, among others, SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk and military intelligence (GUR) head Kyrylo Budanov. To make themselves appear more credible, the hackers repurposed actual posts from Ukrainian state officials on the fake pages. In private messages, though, they tried to extort money from people, the SBU alleged.

The suspects also reportedly created social media accounts of ordinary Ukrainians on Facebook, X, Instagram, VKontakte, and Odnoklassniki. They were able to generate over 1,000 fake social media accounts a day using special hardware and Ukrainian SIM cards.

During searches of the suspects’ apartments, the police seized technical equipment, unregistered firefighting equipment, along with ammunition and live grenades.

The pair was allegedly receiving orders from Russian intelligence services. If found guilty, they could face up to seven years in prison.

Russia has previously used so-called “bot farms” to spread propaganda and create panic during the war. Those involved in running bot farms usually receive payments in Russian rubles, a prohibited currency in Ukraine.

Administrators typically run bot farms out of their own homes or in deserted buildings, where they use servers and SIM cards to create and operate fake accounts.

Punishments for spreading pro-Russian propaganda have become harsher during the war. Last week, a Ukrainian man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for creating over 60 social media posts discrediting Ukraine and its military while denying Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

In January, the SBU detained a pro-Russian hacker suspected of launching cyberattacks against Ukrainian state websites and leaking strategic information. If found guilty, he could face up to 12 years in prison.