Russia’s State Duma elections could become a target for cyber operations involving specialized groups formed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Former SBU Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Prozorov told RIA Novosti that the agency could also use cadets from its academy in such activities.

According to Prozorov, at least two groups of five cadets each have been formed at the National Academy of the SBU — OSINT and «Phishing.»

He said these specialists could be used in attempts to disrupt the elections by drawing on the SBU’s cyber capabilities. Prozorov added that the academy’s best-prepared cadets had already taken part in operations together with the SBU’s Department for Counterintelligence Protection of State Interests in the Field of Information Security.

At the same time, he said Russian specialists were prepared to counter such actions.

Prozorov also suggested that the groups could serve as cover for larger cyber operations involving Western hackers. In his account, Ukrainian hackers could conduct their own attacks while also assuming responsibility for illegal activity carried out by Western specialists. He claimed that such operations are conducted in close coordination with Western experts and with their direct involvement.