Ukraine secret resistance tightens grip on Putin's occupied territory

An activist with a sign saying ‘Luhansk is Ukraine’ which refers to the region that is largely occupied by Russia (Photo: Yellow Ribbon/Telegram)

A covert network of Ukrainian agents is playing an increasingly decisive role behind enemy lines, supplying intelligence, sabotaging Russian logistics and helping Kyiv strike high-value military targets across occupied territory.

As Ukraine expands its long-range campaign against Russian forces, resistance groups say their underground operatives are disrupting supply routes and eroding Moscow's control from within. Many of their claims could not be independently verified.

Hidden Network Fuels Precision Strikes

Atesh, a resistance movement that emerged from Crimea's Tatar community after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, says it has around 2,000 active members working in reconnaissance, sabotage and intelligence.

The group claims it recently provided targeting information that helped Ukrainian forces strike Russia's Perevalne military base and Saki airfield in occupied Crimea. Ukraine's military has declined to comment on operational cooperation, citing security concerns.

Sabotage Campaign Hits Russian Supply Lines

Beyond gathering intelligence, Atesh says its operatives have targeted railway infrastructure, communications equipment and other logistics used by Russian occupation forces. The movement has also claimed responsibility for attacks on infrastructure inside Russia, including energy and industrial sites.

Ukrainian officials say local resistance has become an increasingly valuable force multiplier, allowing military planners to identify troop movements, ammunition depots and air defence systems before launching precision strikes.

Occupation Tightens as Resistance Adapts

The work comes at enormous personal risk. Human rights organisations and the United Nations have documented allegations of detention, torture and killings in occupied territories, where Russian security services have expanded surveillance, checkpoints and intelligence operations.

Resistance groups say they now operate through tightly compartmentalised cells with minimal contact between members, making infiltration more difficult. Sensitive intelligence is passed through secure channels, while some communications are conducted face-to-face.

Shadow War Shows No Sign of Slowing

Analysts say the resistance has evolved from carrying out frequent attacks to prioritising intelligence gathering, enabling Ukraine's growing arsenal of drones and long-range weapons to strike with greater accuracy.

Despite the dangers, organisers say recruitment continues, including support from civilians in occupied areas and, in some cases, from Russians opposed to the Kremlin. As Crimea and other occupied regions come under increasingly regular attack, the underground campaign is becoming an integral part of Ukraine's wider strategy to weaken Russia's military presence far beyond the front line.

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