How Russia's new elite hit squad was compromised by Google Translate

11 hours ago

Center 795 is a top-secret Russian unit formed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, comprising elite GRU and FSB operatives.
The unit is designed for high-stakes operations, including assassinations, abductions, and military missions in Ukraine and abroad.
Denis Alimov, a senior operative in Center 795, was arrested in Colombia for orchestrating assassination plots against Chechen dissidents.
Alimov's downfall was due to using Google Translate for encrypted communications, which were intercepted by the FBI.
Center 795 operates under the guise of the Kalashnikov Concern, with its base at Patriot Park near Moscow.
The unit is funded by billionaire Andrei Bokarev and has ties to Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov.
Denis Fisenko, a veteran of FSB's Alfa unit, leads Center 795, which is structured into Intelligence, Assault, and Combat Support directorates.
The unit's operations include cyber warfare, drone reconnaissance, and targeted killings, with a focus on transnational repression.
Alimov's arrest exposed Center 795's activities, compromising its secrecy and operational integrity.
The unit's exposure highlights systemic issues in Russian intelligence tradecraft, including reliance on insecure communication methods.

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