Shadowmen: Russians working with Ukraine
Summary
BBC Eye follows Polish journalist Marcin Mamon as he investigates a secret network of Russians collaborating with Ukraine to sabotage the war. The documentary profiles Ivan, an underground agent smuggling drones and explosives to target Russian military assets, and Finkente, a former pacifist fighting in the Russian Volunteer Corps. It culminates in the June 2025 "Operation Spiderweb," a massive drone attack on Russian air bases, while raising questions about whether Ivan is a patriot or a double agent.
Topics discussed
Sponsorship and podcast introductions
Odoo business software advertisement
Introduction to Shadow Men and Operation Spiderweb
Ivan's background and motivations for joining the network
Ivan's covert operations and handling of explosives
Finkente: A pacifist turned mortar operator in Ukraine
Denis Kapustin and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK)
FOMA's surveillance training and target mapping
Assassinations and Ivan's secret drop-offs
The Kazan drone attacks and Ivan's survival
Ivan's marriage proposal and plans for the future
Operation Spiderweb execution and aftermath
Verifying Ivan's identity and Ukrainian handler confirmation
Sponsorship advertisements for Schwab and Guiding Stars
General Savarov assassination and Yelibuga factory attack
Ivan's honeymoon, new assignments, and closing thoughts
Listen ad-free on Castria