Given the growing number of “spontaneous” explosions, fires, and other troubles at strategically important Russian sites, it is time to speak about guerrilla movements in Russia and abroad.
The first part of a guerrilla special compiled by the Non-White Coat organization
United Resistance Front
Many diverse groups are now consolidating into the United Resistance Front (URF), a strategic alliance of guerrilla organizations founded in June 2024.
The URF is an independent organization that emerged as a common platform for all resistance organizations and figures and now aims to overthrow Putin’s regime, establish a democratic government in Russia, and provide nations with the right to self-determination. The association is decentralized, as decentralization provides the highest level of security for the resistance and increases the movement’s efficiency, since each movement has a unique approach to the struggle and uses different methods.
The list of members of the United Resistance Front is constantly updated. It includes guerrilla movements, emigrant projects, and underground media, as well as military and political figures. Currently, it primarily includes the following groups:
SKREPACH
A representative of the group “Skrepach” speaks about the role of guerrilla initiatives in the effort to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine:
“Simply put, the goal of the resistance movement is to end the existence of Putin’s regime. Putin is very dependent on the outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The very existence of the regime is at stake. Any action against the regime and against the war is of great importance. The worse the outcome of the war is for him, the weaker he becomes—and that is our chance to improve Russia. Therefore, most of the Resistance’s efforts are aimed at destroying the military and power potential of Putin’s regime on Russian territory,” says the guerrilla. “Such actions can reduce the production of war materials, worsen the logistics of military supplies, delay mobilization, and so on. Moreover, these actions demonstrate to anti-war Russians that they are not alone, that the regime is not omnipotent, and that struggle is possible.”
“We try to give people hope for change. Everything big consists of small things. Perhaps the result of our actions will not be immediately apparent in the war. But over time, the contribution of the Resistance WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE to deny.” In their struggle, guerrillas use the most modern technologies, one of which is now drones. Although, of course, unmanned vehicles are not a panacea for all occasions, they certainly expand a guerrilla’s capabilities.
“What previously required superpowers is now compensated for by the drone’s capabilities. They help not only to improve work efficiency but also in many ways to protect the guerrilla, who can work on an object while sitting dozens of kilometers away. Simply put, a drone is another great, modern tool at our disposal. And the choice of tool depends on many factors. Sometimes there is nothing better than a good old hammer,” Skrepach concludes with a smile.
Polar Bear
“Together we will win,” confidently asserts the founder of “Polar Bear,” who established his organization to help the resistance fighting against the criminal Putin regime:
“I wanted to create a group that could help unite various guerrilla groups under the banner of the resistance and bring unity to our efforts and cause.” Despite the fact that “Polar Bear” has provided various assistance to guerrilla groups in Ukraine and other countries, the main focus has always been Putin’s regime. Currently, the organization is focusing on a new approach to obtaining vast amounts of intelligence against the Kremlin and its army. With this information, guerrillas will be able to coordinate their efforts and move to direct actions to get where they need to be.
Regarding the exposure of the lying Kremlin clique, “Bear” says:
“Russian citizens will soon see the truth. To the citizens of Russia who believe the propaganda of Putin’s regime, I say this: we will bring you the truth in various ways. The Kremlin will soon notice it, and the criminals of Putin’s regime will not be happy. You will have to think for yourselves. You are not serfs. You are free people. Do not give your lives for a lying gangster like Putin, who is afraid of his own shadow. He hides in his mansions while you suffer from a collapsed economy and a failed invasion of sovereign Ukraine. Putin has led you to a premature death. Stand up to him. Confront the cruel Kremlin. Be brave.”
Polar Bear thanks those Russians who dare to speak out against Putin’s regime and reminds them of the importance of united efforts and that the role of every person who does not bow down is important:
“Always resist evil. You can do this in many ways, including non-violent actions if you so choose. Perhaps you could help Polar Bear in its intelligence-gathering efforts? We would be very grateful. Reach out. We are waiting. Polar Bear has arrived. Putin will die.”
Russian Diaspora of Armenia
The Russian Diaspora of Armenia attaches the greatest importance to promoting strong resistance to Putin’s regime in general and public actions in particular. The themes of the actions vary: from supporting the Resistance (also the URF) to solidarity with political prisoners, but the goal always remains the same: to influence events and weaken Putin’s regime.
“People learn about the Resistance through public actions. The task of emigrants is to support the Resistance and spread information about it. Guerrillas and volunteers need support in our form because the Resistance in Russia has no support from international organizations. Everything is based on committed and honest people for whom the fight against Putin’s regime means actions, not just words.”
But not all actions are “equally useful.”
Freya
At the last anti-war march on March 1 in Berlin, organized by the Russian opposition in exile, was an activist from Luxembourg, Freya FAE, with whom we managed to speak. Her stance on such actions differs from that of the “usual opposition figures like Navalny, Kara-Murza, Katz, and Yashin, presented to the West as the only opposition”:
“We cannot see Ukraine’s victory, or God forbid, defeat, as the end of the war. For me, the slogan ‘until victory and beyond’ has always meant more than just the victory and restoration of Ukraine; it is about ending Putinism. Only Russians can end this war and future wars in Moscow. Even if Ukraine wins this war, we know that Putin will just hide, lick his wounds, and try again and again to attack peaceful countries. Right now, under the current American administration, it is more than important for the West to support Ukraine in every possible way—military, logistical, and humanitarian—and to support the Russian resistance. This war concerns us all, and everyone has a role in the fight against authoritarian regimes. We must work together on long-term solutions and stability in the region.”
Freya brought the flag and leaflets of the Freedom of Russia Legion to the Berlin march because she believes that active resistance is more appropriate at this time: “Just waving beautiful slogans is not enough, because words will not stop Putin.” The activist believes it is truly important for the West to support the Russian resistance alongside its support for Ukraine. In her opinion, the West must show Russians fighting against Putin and his government “not just with empty words” but with weapons in hand that they are not alone, that the West is ready to help them, including financially. As a Western volunteer, she cannot, of course, lead direct combat on the ground and actively participate in slowing down Putin’s war machine, but she can take on other tasks, “such as raising awareness about the Russian resistance.”
“We may not be able to fight directly, but we must support those who do. The Russian resistance should have no borders or language barriers,” says Freya. “I hope that at the next big ‘Berlin against Putin’ demonstration, many people will join the flags of the Russian resistance. My dream is for the Russian resistance, including the Legion and the RVC (Russian Volunteer Corps, editor’s note), to unite and show Putin that it is unified despite its differences, because they all had and have a common goal.”
Guardians of the Baltic Coast
The Guardians of the Baltic Coast, who operate in the Leningrad region, do not have a strictly unified ideology: among them are anarchists, people of leftist leanings, and people with mixed views. Other participants do not think about such things at all and join the movement because of their dislike for the regime and disagreement with its actions.
“Generally, we are closer to the left than the right,” say the activists. “If our goals and interests coincide with the goals and interests of someone on the other side of the political spectrum, we are ready to cooperate. This does not mean we will adopt their ideology or agree with them completely. However, we will be ready to work with them, exchange information and ideas for a successful confrontation with the regime. Because the regime destroys the lives not only of the Guardians but of everyone in general. Including those who claim to be completely apolitical. Can there be difficulties and ideological disagreements? Of course, but we are all human and are not obliged to agree on everything. Therefore, we are ready to work for a common cause with other resistance organizations. And that is why we joined the URF.”
The Guardians are firmly convinced that regions should belong to all the people who live in them. And they see no point in campaigning for the independence of their own or any other region, or for its preservation within its current borders—at least for now. They believe their goal is to destroy the system “that takes away our chance for a decent present and a bright future and also destroys the environment.” The fate of the Leningrad region will ultimately be decided by all its inhabitants, and not by a group of “radical anonymous individuals,” the activists self-critically note.
Seversky Krai
“As history shows, when great powers break up into smaller territorial units, there are winners and losers. If after the fall of one dictatorship another appears, but with a smaller territory—then we can speak of a loss. We also believe that dictatorships and poor living conditions arise because the socio-political way of life created in specific territories is not fair and does not meet the people’s demands. Size and borders have nothing to do with it. Severia is a project for a state on the territory of the Kursk, Orel, Bryansk, Tula, and Kaluga regions of Russia, based on the ethnic indigenous population of the Severyuks in these territories,” states the National Liberation Movement “Seversky Krai” about its initiative.
It advocates for full sovereign independence from Russia within the aforementioned regions based on the UN Charter and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Nations to autonomy and statehood. The movement is convinced that the Severyuks, who still maintain their own culture and traditional costumes, are the rightful discoverers and owners of the northern lands. Furthermore, the right to gain independence, as the activists believe, belongs to Severia “based on the history of their region and people, long-standing sovereignty, and repressions during the years of occupation by Russia. The problem of decolonization for Russia will fully arise with the fall of Putin’s regime, and therefore, to achieve these goals, it is appropriate to bring this event closer in every possible way.”
Security Education from the Descendant of Cain
The role of information security in guerrilla warfare is crucial, asserts its specialist, Descendant of Cain. The era of the lone “Rambo” is over; the era of the “information concentration camp” has arrived: “we are visible much more often than we would like,” he notes:
“If you do not maintain information security, you will commit only one act, you will go to prison almost immediately, and you will be useless both to the Resistance and to yourself.”
There are few basic rules for those who want to join the Resistance and not lose their freedom, but they are critically important:
“Encrypt everything you can. Encrypt, do not just password-protect. Contact the Resistance only via Tor with javascript TURNED OFF OR via tails/whonix. Do not discuss the Resistance in unencrypted chats: for example, in Telegram. At all. Do not even subscribe to channels. You have plenty of options: Signal, Session, Briar. There is no need to get caught in a trap. For the Resistance, Session will, of course, be the most secure communication channel.”
“Do not talk about your activities even to trusted acquaintances, nor on Session. Use passwords at least 15 characters long, preferably 25. Do not take your phone to a protest, do not keep any incriminating evidence in your camera. Delete metadata. Study how other guerrillas were caught. Do not give mnemonic keys to anyone. A mnemonic key is both an advantage and a vulnerability of Session. It works just like with any cryptocurrency. Advantage: no one can log into your account without it, which increases security and reduces the likelihood of a hacking attack. Vulnerability: anyone can log into your account with it.”
“This means that as soon as security personnel obtain your Session key, they can monitor all your online correspondence and even participate in it (though you will notice) as if they had logged in from another device. There is no way to know if someone else is reading your account, so your key should be mega-securely hidden, and if you suspect it has been stolen (for example, your phone was seized during a search), you should create a new Session account and inform everyone from the old one that it may have been compromised.”
“You can even create a new account every year to perform an ‘annual key rotation.’ Without the key, it is almost impossible to hack you. Yes, if the key is obtained (this is only possible with physical access to the device or some very sneaky virus, but the threat is 99.999% with the first option), you can be hacked immediately. But if the key does not exist, hacking your account will take billions of years on all the computers in Russia combined, even personal ones.”
According to the Descendant of Cain, in today’s Russia, you can go to prison in two cases:
If you have been identified in advance and clearly marked as a criminal (for example, you wrote in a Telegram chat that you are preparing an action that is not going through Tails).
If evidence of your partisan activity was found during a search.
The first danger can be avoided if you maintain complete anonymity and do not share your “little secret” with anyone, including good and trusted people. Anonymity will protect you from any mistake and prevent lies and deception by the Chekists.
“If the authorities find that you represent even a potential serious danger, you will be imprisoned without any searches. According to my observations, these are the most basic mistakes guerrillas make when they trust. It is simply terrible! How easily you let your guard down when communicating with a guerrilla colleague who also ‘hates PUTLER, sets fire to military registration and enlistment offices,’ and so on. And immediately you treat him with the greatest trust and occasionally reveal small facts about yourself. Then suddenly he writes ‘well, they caught you),’ and you are seized by wild fear from head to toe at the thought: ‘is it really you, O’Brien?…'”
In the case of the second point, you must be constantly prepared for a search: everything is re-encrypted, hidden, inaccessible. Everything unnecessary is removed, no flags or symbols on the walls, no gasoline in the apartment.
“So that today they could break into your apartment and find only evidence that you occasionally smoke hashish, that is why you encrypt yourself and you yourself fear the regime to the extreme.” Encryption often does not help and you will be imprisoned after a search anyway, but that happens when there are already common grounds to suspect you are a partisan. Therefore, the first rule is golden. The second is for rare cases where they got to you almost by chance (or under another article, or really by mistake, or during an occasional random check), but they would find nothing,” the specialist warns.
WE ARE NOT TERRORISTS | United Resistance Front
For twenty years, the peaceful opposition has tried to force Putin to leave through peaceful protests, but in the conditions of a developed and consolidated autocracy, this is not possible. Members of the URF, drawing on historical experience, are certain that any dictatorship in Russia understands only the language of force. And to defeat it, they consider it necessary to unite all opposition formations, regardless of differences in views, methods of struggle, and the building of a new state. The United Resistance Front willingly cooperates with any projects, organizations, and individuals, participating in various initiatives originating from friendly groups fighting both at the front and behind enemy lines.
Peaceful protests have not fulfilled the hopes placed in them regarding the defeat of Putin’s government. In 2010, the opposition had a chance to change everything, but it remained unrealized precisely because the protest never moved to the next, violent phase. In current reality, peaceful methods, as the URF is convinced, can only exist as support for direct resistance. And in the latter case, Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, and European partisan organizations constantly interact and help each other.
“Whatever the views of the organizations, if their goal is to overthrow Putinism, we are happy to cooperate and together bring about the end of Putin’s regime. Violent protests need broad legitimization; supporters of the resistance and its active participants should receive international political support for the fight against the terrorist regime. We too need support and welcome everyone who joins the Resistance,” says the URF.
“We are not terrorists,” they emphasize, “because the targets of our attacks are military infrastructure, supporters, and everything that belongs to Putin’s regime. Therefore, we are not a terrorist movement, unlike it. Our red line is a single factor: does our struggle affect the civilian population?”
The activities of the Resistance include not only guerrilla actions but also political activity. Behind every blowing up of an FSB building or setting fire to a railway facility lies the idea of liberating Russia from Putin’s dictatorship. The URF is, of course, troubled by the lack of financial resources, weapons, people, and political support, but the members of this association do not give up, they try to solve all urgent problems and continue their work:
“However Putin’s regime’s war against Ukraine ends, the Resistance will continue its struggle in all its possible forms. We use all possible means to fight the regime that has been bombing peaceful cities in Ukraine for more than three years. Children, the elderly, and women suffer. Putin’s regime must pay for its crimes, and the citizens of Russia who are aware of this can together help us gain freedom for our homeland.”
TO BE CONTINUED
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