Russia’s Federal Security Service says Kiev has stepped up efforts to organize sabotage and terrorist attacks in Moscow and the Moscow Region using small drones launched close to selected targets.

According to the FSB’s Public Relations Center, the tactic is being used amid growing pressure from Russian forces along the line of contact and Kiev’s inability to inflict significant damage on critical infrastructure in the Moscow Region with missiles and long-range unmanned aerial systems.

The agency says fraudulent call centers controlled by Kiev are being used to prepare such operations. Their employees pose as representatives of the Bank of Russia, Rosfinmonitoring, tax authorities or the FSB and contact people who have previously lost money to scammers.

The victims are then told that they can supposedly recover their funds by taking part in special operations conducted by Russian law enforcement agencies. After gaining their trust, the callers begin assigning specific tasks connected with preparations for drone launches.

According to the FSB, people may be instructed to identify suitable locations for deploying FPV drones, check mobile network coverage and internet access, purchase unmanned aircraft through online marketplaces or collect them from previously prepared caches.

Further instructions may involve fitting the drones with explosive devices and transporting them to planned launch sites. The agency also says recruits can be ordered to register and hand over SIM cards needed for remote control of the UAVs.