Cyber Volunteer Squads on Cyber Patrol

Over the past month, we reported that local authorities in various Russian regions, despite the lack of a legal framework, continue to actively promote the creation of groups with the catchy names “cyber squads” or “cyber volunteers.” These groups monitor online publications in the Russian internet (Runet) and conduct lectures and seminars on “extremism” and “cybersecurity,” as they understand these topics. We observe that such organizations are steadily emerging across Russia, pushed by officials and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).

Regional Initiatives and Official Support

In mid-October, the Public Council at the MVD of the Udmurt Republic discussed volunteer movements, ranging from rescue teams to cyber squads. Currently, there are 127 volunteer organizations in the republic, with over 3,500 members. Interior Minister Alexey Popov emphasized the need for law enforcement to cooperate with the interregional youth movement “Cyber Squad,” whose members “fight crimes in the virtual environment.”

At Orenburg State Medical University, police officers spoke to students about the activities of local cyber volunteers. These volunteers search for texts containing information about the promotion, methods, and use of drugs and psychotropic substances, including where to buy or grow them. In the first nine months of 2019, over 2,500 such websites were reported for blocking. Active participants received letters of appreciation.

Police in Buzuluk (Orenburg region) are also recruiting students as cyber volunteers. In late October, experts met with second-year students at the Buzuluk Humanitarian-Technological Institute to discuss websites promoting drugs and illegal content. Students were taught how to identify banned information and submit reports to Roskomnadzor, with the main goal of involving responsible youth in searching for illegal content online.

Encouragement and Expansion

The head of Chuvashia, Mikhail Ignatyev, proposed rewarding the most active cyber squad members at a commission meeting in late October. The regional Roskomnadzor office highlighted the work of university-based cyber squads. Plans are underway to launch social media campaigns to prevent youth involvement in radical activities.

In Pskov region, the first cyber squad is expected to be established by the end of 2019, according to regional police chief Alexey Ovsyannikov. The squad will include volunteers from Pskov State University, aiming to help law enforcement monitor online cases of domestic violence and the involvement of minors in illegal groups.

School and Community Involvement

In Megion (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), police met with the cyber squad at School No. 2, which includes teachers and parents. Their goal is to ensure the information security of the younger generation and monitor the internet for provocative and extremist materials. Police provided practical advice for tracking unwanted content and reminded children about personal safety and legal responsibility online.

Berdsk (Novosibirsk region) launched its first youth cyber squad, comprised of students from the local polytechnic college. The squad is overseen by Matvey Guslyakov and coordinated by youth specialist Ekaterina Zakharova. Only volunteers aged 18 and older search for illegal content, while minors create positive content like videos and presentations. Reports of illegal sites are sent to Roskomnadzor, which can then seek court orders to block them. Currently, seven people have joined, and all new members must undergo training.

Training and Legal Aspects

In Moscow’s Eastern Administrative District, a seminar was held on working online and identifying dangerous content with signs of extremism. The Center for Countering Extremism emphasized the need to strengthen the work of cyber squads, which monitor the internet for dangerous content and report findings to law enforcement. The seminar also covered Article 20.29 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses, which penalizes the production and distribution of extremist materials with fines or short-term arrest.

Results and Further Actions

The Tambov cyber squad identified over 300 online drug distributors and checked more than 7,000 social media pages, with about 10% containing illegal content. Information about 320 pages directly promoting drugs was forwarded to the regional FSB for further investigation. The regional resource center “Cyber Squad,” based at the Tambov Business College, played a key role in these efforts.

In Tyumen, an “educational intensive” called “Safe Internet” is planned under the patronage of Roskomnadzor. Experts, IT professionals, psychologists, and rehabilitation center representatives will discuss internet safety for teens, digital hygiene, and how parents can communicate with their children about online trends and threats. The event encourages people to become cyber volunteers and protect themselves and their loved ones online.

Anastasia Popova, manager of the “Cyber Patrol of Tyumen Region” project, explained that the event is for those who want to become cyber volunteers and work with both parents and teens. Some volunteers focus on illegal content threatening children, while others will educate parents about real online dangers and youth trends. Tyumen currently has about 200 cyber volunteers, some of whom have helped shut down harmful websites.

Grant-Funded Projects and National Events

In Altai Krai, the #CyberSquad22 project was created with a governor’s grant as part of the “Youth of Altai” program, aiming to combat extremism and terrorism among youth. Project leader Roman Kuranov described the “Cyber Squad #22 Field School,” a five-day legal education event for high school students, including those in rural areas. The program will visit five municipalities, teaching about extremism and responsibility for extremist activities, especially on social networks.

RosKomSvoboda found two tenders from this organization on the “Contract Center” portal: one for producing souvenirs and printed materials for the field school (contract value: 282,720 rubles), and another for organizing and conducting the event (contract value: 130,000 rubles).

Cyber Volunteer Gatherings and Training

In Vladivostok, a “Cyber Volunteers” gathering will be held for youth interested in protecting children online. Fifty participants will attend comprehensive training at the Primorsky Youth House, supported by the regional youth department and the federal “Safe Internet” project. The program includes educational components to improve media safety knowledge for current and future cyber volunteers.

The event will feature talks on online crimes against minors, investigative methods, and cyber safety basics. Experts will discuss new media trends, internet threats, destructive sects, and extremist groups, and how to counteract them online.

Conclusion

As we can see, the fight against “online demons” is spawning quasi-public organizations with questionable goals across Russia. We will continue to monitor the development of this trend.