Cyber Patrols Continue to Target the Russian Internet

Since our last report on the activities of cyber patrols, several new regions in Russia have launched their own volunteer organizations. These groups, working closely with local authorities, aim to “cleanse” the Russian internet (Runet) of materials deemed unacceptable by their leadership. They also infiltrate closed online communities in search of content related to suicide, extremism, and child exploitation.

St. Petersburg

The news outlet Fontanka reported that the St. Petersburg Committee for Youth Policy allocated funds to support the city’s cyber patrol. However, the local volunteers received a modest sum—just 134,000 rubles. According to Leonid Armer, head of the NGO “Youth Security Service,” the group focuses on identifying anything related to suicide groups, preventing child exploitation, extremism, and “Columbine” content. Armer explained that cyber patrol members gather information, try to identify individuals, look for additional victims, and compile substantial material for law enforcement agencies. Sometimes, volunteers infiltrate chats or communities to identify people with suicidal thoughts and report them to the police.

Yamal

The Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug has also established its own cyber patrol, as reported by Sever-Press. Regional authorities held a meeting in Salekhard to discuss combating extremism, highlighting the work of cyber patrols in identifying extremist statements and preventing interethnic conflicts. In the Purovsky District, cyber patrol members checked about 300 websites for illegal content and submitted 40 complaints to authorities.

Surgut

According to Komsomolskaya Pravda Yugra, the Surgut city administration honored cyber patrol volunteers for their successful work. “The need to guide children online and teach them to use internet resources properly is growing every day. Cyber volunteers are doing an excellent job. Today, more than 1,200 people are involved in cyber volunteering,” said Irina Zamyatina, head of the city’s education department. Over nine months, Surgut’s cyber patrol checked about 17,000 websites and reported 1,000 of them, some of which are now inaccessible. Coordinator Grigory Pashchenko explained that volunteers monitor closed forums where child pornography and drugs are distributed and report such cases to the police.

Irkutsk Region

Since 2020, cyber patrols have started operating in the Irkutsk region. According to the regional government, this will help protect residents from crimes committed online. Deputy Governor Vladimir Dorofeev emphasized that the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, chaired by FSB head Alexander Bortnikov, recommends creating such patrols. Dorofeev noted that these groups are needed to help protect the information space.

Problems in Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk also has its own cyber patrol, which is likely to continue operating. However, on January 25, a scandal broke out in the media and on social networks: Anton Mishin, a prominent anti-extremism activist, child protection advocate, and founder of the local cyber patrol, was caught abusing minors, filming the acts, and selling the videos. Police arrested Mishin and several accomplices in an apartment resembling a den. Outwardly, Mishin led a respectable life, had 5,000 Facebook friends (including most local politicians and journalists), received presidential grants for his organization “Yenisei,” and spoke at conferences on public morality. The cyber patrol he founded monitored and helped block illegal content, claiming to have blocked about 350 dangerous websites for children. As Novaya Gazeta ironically noted, Mishin received state funds to fight corrupting content with one hand, while creating it with the other.

Cyber Fight Against Domestic Violence in Pskov

The Pskov region’s police department has created its first cyber patrol to identify and prevent the spread of extremist materials online, as well as crimes against children. Police Major General Alexey Ovsyannikov announced at a press conference that the patrol, which includes students from Pskov State University, focuses on identifying suicide-related groups and extremist content. Ovsyannikov believes the patrol is especially relevant for Pskov, as it can help uncover cases of violence, including domestic violence against minors. He also noted that minors are often drawn into drug distribution, seeking to earn money by creating so-called “stashes” (hidden drug drops sold online). However, he did not specify how the cyber patrol would detect domestic violence or help catch online thieves.

Media Literacy Training in Tyumen

Tyumen volunteers are being offered online media literacy training, according to the Tyumen Region Cyber Patrol. Special courses will be held from February to May 2020 in the form of webinars, video lessons, and independent practical work. The program consists of three modules: media, online prevention, and project promotion. Participants will learn to use graphic editors, video and photo programs, create event posters, and write press releases for social networks and the media. Special attention will be given to preventive volunteering, and invited SMM specialists will teach how to promote preventive content online and participate in full-fledged media campaigns.

The event appears to be well-funded, raising questions about who is supporting Tyumen’s fight against online indecency.

Conclusion

Overall, the topic of cyber patrols and volunteer internet watchdogs has quieted down somewhat at the start of the new year. Perhaps local authorities have realized the limited effectiveness of these organizations in combating online crime, leading to their transformation into advisory and educational bodies that can be sent to local schools for appearances. However, this may just be the calm before the introduction of a new bill in the State Duma, which lawmakers have been considering for several years.