{
  "id": 19077736,
  "title": "Disposable: The ordinary people doing Russia’s dirty work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/disposable-the-ordinary-people-doing-russias-dirty-work",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-hybrid-war-europe-low-level-agents/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In March 2025, Latvia's State Security Service stormed the farmhouse of Ukrainian man Vasilij Kovacs, seizing his mobile devices and firearms. Kovacs was later arrested and transferred to Lithuania, where he faces terrorism charges. Five others accused of similar activities are on trial in Warsaw. These ten men claim innocence and say they were unaware they were acting for Russian military intelligence. The ten are part of a growing category of Russian intelligence assets known as \"low-level agents\" or \"disposable agents.\" The GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, increasingly relies on such intermediaries to carry out tasks like smuggling modified items or taking photographs. These disposable agents are often motivated by money and may not fully understand the broader operation. The GRU, when contacted, did not respond to a request for comment.",
  "summary": "The Kremlin is recruiting civilians to carry out sabotage across Europe.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ten Ukrainian men accused of Russian intelligence work in Latvia",
    "GRU uses low-level agents for smuggling, photography tasks",
    "Disposable agents motivated by money, may lack full understanding"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}