Russian society is anything but united on the invasion of Ukraine. This is evidenced by the growing popularity of Zwarte Vonk.
Black Spark is a good example of how the war in Ukraine is also being fought within Russia itself. According to the Daily Mail, the group, known in English as Black Spark, claims to be an underground resistance movement carrying out sabotage, infiltration, and cyberattacks against the Russian war machine.
According to its own claims and media reports, Black Spark focuses primarily on rail lines, energy infrastructure, and the oil industry. The group views this sector as the Kremlin’s financial lifeline, as it helps fund the war and supply the military. In recent reports, the movement even claimed that its members had been working secretly undercover for months in the Alabuga zone—where Russia produces Shahed drones—and had stolen data there and allegedly sabotaged production.
De-Putinization
The organization is trying to position itself as more than just a loose coalition of activists. According to the narratives it has disseminated, it consists of former officers, IT specialists, oil engineers, activists, and people with combat experience. Igor Volobuev, a former Gazprombank executive who defected to Ukraine and openly turned against Putin, is the group’s main public face. The goal is broader than simply causing damage. Black Spark speaks of “de-Putinization”: weakening the Russian state, cutting off oil revenues, and disrupting transportation and military logistics so that the war machine cannot function as effectively. In doing so, the group positions itself as part of a resistance movement that seeks not only to take symbolic action but also to undermine Russia economically and militarily.
Nevertheless, caution remains necessary. After all, much of the information comes from the group’s own statements, social media posts, and media outlets that repeat those claims, while independent verification is often lacking. There are indications that some claims of sabotage and hacking are taken seriously, but the exact scope, structure, and capabilities of the group cannot be publicly verified.
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