“We metastasized the Russian army.” Ukrainian partisans speak of a “turning point” in the resistance movement

In an exclusive interview, Ukrainian partisans from the Ates movement revealed to the Kyiv Post how they disrupted what Russia considered its “secure rearguard”, causing deep unrest inside Russia and in the occupied territories.

In 2025, the resistance movement has moved far beyond traditional partisan warfare.

What once appeared to be isolated acts of sabotage in the occupied territories have coalesced into a nationwide coordinated network operating not only in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, but also deep into Russia.

Working in close coordination with Ukraine's security and defense forces, the clandestine movement's ever-expanding reach has transformed resistance activity into a persistent and destabilizing—though sometimes overlooked—threat to Russia's war effort.

In an exclusive interview, Kyiv Post spoke with “Selim”, the coordinator of the Ates resistance movement, as well as “Evpatori”, a clandestine operative operating in occupied Crimea.

Both described the year 2025 as a turning point, defined in large part by the collapse of the myth of a “safe Russian rearguard”. According to them, the Russian forces no longer feel safe, not even far from the front.

“If previously the occupier felt threatened only in Crimea or near Donetsk, today they flinch at every noise from the Moscow region or Volgograd. Ates has become an extensive network throughout Russia,” said one of them.

The movement, he added, is no longer just a loose group of sympathizers, but a systemic force integrated into Russia's military infrastructure.

The agents said their actions had a considerable psychological impact inside Russia: the acts of sabotage against the communications, logistics and railway infrastructure raised a deep paranoia within the Russian units.

“They no longer trust each other. Each officer suspects his deputy of working with Ateș,” noted one of the sources.

Main achievements

“The most important thing is that we completely dismantled the myth of a 'safe Russian rear guard.' If previously the occupier felt threatened only in Crimea or near Donetsk, now he flinches at every rustle in the Moscow region or Volgograd.

We have become an extensive network throughout Russia, and this is our main achievement. We are no longer just a group of patriots, but a systemic force that has metastasized into the entire military machinery of the Russian Federation. And next year, these metastases will be felt”.

The most successful operations

According to the cited sources, these were the ones that resulted in the “deactivation” of entire sections of the front by destroying the communication centers and radar systems.

“Without 'eyes' and 'ears', their vaunted generals behind the front and field commanders become blind kittens. A special mention should be made of the systematic hunting of railway infrastructure in the back regions of Russia.

For example, Ates agents successfully sabotaged a military electric locomotive on the railway lines in Briansk. This is a key logistics center and the destruction of a locomotive there created significant problems in the supply of the northern group of occupiers. Every communications center set on fire or bridge destroyed means weeks of delays for equipment that no longer ends up killing Ukrainians near the city of Pokrovsk or Kupiansk.”

These sabotages are an important source of motivation for further operations, they said, stressing that it is still “too early to talk about the loudest and most extensive operations. The time will come.”

How the partisan movement has evolved over the past year

“We've become more professional. It's not just about 'throwing a Molotov cocktail' anymore.” This is the highest level of coordination.

Today, ATEȘ is a combination of experienced saboteurs, IT intelligence specialists and, most importantly, officers from the Russian General Staff. There are many more of us now, but at the same time we are better hidden and more influential.”

What does a partisan do?

“It means being everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Today, the agent of a clandestine movement is not necessarily a person sitting in the woods with a rifle. He is a waiter who eavesdrops on the officers' conversations in a cafe; a railway worker who knows perfectly the schedule of military trains; a technician who can “accidentally” disable a high-value radar.

This is technological warfare: a smartphone and the critical information transmitted through it today kill occupants as well as a rifle.”

Profile of a partisan

“We don't have a 'typical' agent. There are enthusiastic 19-year-olds, solid men in their 30s, and even retirees watching military equipment roll past their windows.

More and more of our agents are Russian military. They see all this madness, they see the “meat grinder” and understand that the only way to survive is to help us end this war faster. Or see their commander torn apart by an explosion after they transmit coordinates as an act of revenge.

Are Russians afraid of partisans?

“They're absolutely paranoid. You should see them flailing around their offices when another 'sabotage' occurs at one of 'their' facilities.” They don't trust each other. Every colonel in that unit suspects his deputy of being an Ates agent. This is excellent psychological pressure. They are aware that we are everywhere.

Cooperation with intelligence agencies

This is our foundation. We work as one body – the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Our data are the “eyes” of Ukrainian missiles. When a strike accurately hits an ammunition dump or headquarters, we know our work has paid off. That makes us not just insurgents, but part of a great army of liberation.

About life under occupation

“Occupation is not just 'another authority.' It's a daily hell. But there are millions of people out there waiting for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. You don't have to give them up. There is strong resistance there; only she is silent. Every Ukrainian flag painted at night, for example, in Mariupol, is a cry that Ukraine is there.”

And Ukrainians in the occupied territories know that Ukrainians are close “when another collaborator is blown up or communications from the headquarters of the occupiers disappear.

I'm sure the people standing in line are whispering to each other, “Ours are working.” That gives them power to breathe. They see that the enemy is vulnerable and therefore liberation is possible.”