Russia Mobilizes Civilian Cyber Squads to Combat Online Misinformation

Tens of thousands of Russian IT experts are volunteering to track disinformation and neutralize cyber threats, as the country doubles down on digital security.

Volunteer cyber squads in Russia are now playing a frontline role in fighting fake news and malicious content online. According to President Vladimir Putin, around 60,000 people are currently participating in these civilian teams. The squads, made up of seasoned programmers and IT professionals, focus on dismantling disinformation campaigns, flagging harmful content, and countering external digital provocations.

Their mission is to defend national interests, combat foreign information aggression, and help maintain social stability inside Russia.

The government is also taking legislative steps to enhance data privacy. As of July 1, 2025, it is illegal for personal data belonging to Russian citizens to be stored, processed, or altered using foreign-based databases. The regulation impacts global platforms like Google Analytics as well as international HR and CRM systems.

Meanwhile, public awareness of cyber threats is on the rise. A recent survey by a domestic company revealed that over half of respondents support cybersecurity training—especially if provided by their employers. Respondents said they want to learn how to protect their finances (48%) and smartphones (45%) from cyber risks.