A Former Member Of The Russian Elite Helped Ukrainian Intelligence Undermine A General In The Russian General Staff

Fanila Sarvarova was eliminated in December 2025.

A former member of the Russian elite helped Ukrainian intelligence gather information on Lieutenant General Fanile Sarvarov before his assassination in Moscow. A Russian man using the alias Foma leads a network of volunteers based in Warsaw and maintains ties with sources in high-level Russian circles. This is detailed in the BBC documentary “People in the Shadows: Russian Saboteurs Against Putin,” as noted by “Agency”.

Sarvarov headed the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian General Staff. He was killed on December 22, 2025, in a car bombing in Moscow. After the assassination, Foma wrote to one of the BBC authors: “I’ll tell you, keeping tabs on him was quite a hassle. He lived alternately with his mistress and with a colleague. He covered his tracks and constantly changed his schedule.”

The film’s second protagonist, a Russian named Ivan, spoke about reconnaissance of military facilities and the preparation of safe houses within Russia. According to the BBC, more than a year before Operation “Web,” he warned a journalist about the preparation of a similar attack, without specifying particular targets or dates. The Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) confirmed that it is cooperating with both subjects featured in the film.

Foma told the BBC about a network of roughly three dozen people in Russia, Ukraine, and several European countries. Some monitor Russian military personnel, while others gather intelligence and provide technical support. The group does not directly participate in the killings.

According to the BBC, in early 2022, Foma warned the GUR about preparations for a full-scale invasion. Subsequently, Ukrainian intelligence agencies helped him leave Russia and settle in Poland. In his conversations, he mentions having contacts with both Ukrainian intelligence and FSB officers, whom he refers to as “office workers.” Among his network’s capabilities, Foma also cited access to the Telegram correspondence of Russian officials.

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