Selfie-addicted Russian soldier caught in Ukrainian territory by Instagram geo-tagging

Selfie-addicted Russian soldier caught in Ukrainian territory by Instagram geo-tagging
(thedrum.com)

The Instagram account of a Russian solider may have landed under-pressure Vladimir Putin in hot water after the app's photomap placed 24-year-old Sanya Sotkin's selfies in rebel-held Ukrainian territory.

The selfie-addicted solider's Instagram may be vital in proving Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian civil war after images show the active-duty Sotkin operating in the disputed territory.

The Russian soldier in question has placed over 500 selfies on Instagram, geo-locating himself and his fellow soldiers in such towns as Krasny Derkul (under rebel control) and Kranaya Talovka inside the Ukraine.

Russia has long denied Russian soldiers or the military has been involved inside the Ukraine.

And there supposed to be smart lol great job for the red flag instagram in advertantly puts a target on the shirtless horseback riding closet gay a reply to: Blackmarketeer

a reply to: Blackmarketeer

I find this hilarious.

Instagram being used as evidence in war crimes.

Seriously? Lmao. Yes I am sure Putin is sweating his balls off over this one.

Even if true, so what? If the rebels are all really Russian troops surely they would've wiped the floor with the Ukrainian military by now.

Besides - any half decent programmer can fake stuff like this. Not hard to falsify geo tags, Laughable somebody thinks this will be a big deal really. US is resorting to Instagram for evidence now ha....

a reply to: lightedhype

I wasn't aware the US is using this as evidence.

They hack into a mobile phone owned by a Russian soldier, download the images, change the geolocation data, then upload the images onto the internet.

I'll believe this, if they can match the trees. That should be fairly easy since they know the location of the cellphone pictures down to +/- 100 meters. A simple google maps link would be enough.

Yeah I saw this and thought it was pretty funny. It is nice for regular people to see this because the US is never going release com intercepts, HUMINT, or sat images to general public as proof. What is also amussing is he complains a lot about not having any idea what they suppose to be doing or why they are there. Something that is no suprise as the general Russian military is known for its low morale and lack of communication. It kind of reminds me of Italy in WW2 a leader with grand vision but. no idea how to complete it with a military that is has no motivation to help.

There will be Russian soldiers in Ukraine loyal to the rebels just as there are militants all over Europe joining Isis.
Loyalties run deep out there.

We should not be surprised to learn this... Only that his Instagram geo location gave him away.... That they are allowed to use these devices after snowden revelations is very worrying. US intelligence services must be having a field day......

Quick! Someone inform the Kremlin! LOL

Are we sure they allow active duty troops to carry their cell phone out on what amounts to wartime manouversÉ Just askin because OP SEC seems a tad loose that way....

originally posted by: funkadeliaaaa
There will be Russian soldiers in Ukraine loyal to the rebels just as there are militants all over Europe joining Isis.
Loyalties run deep out there.

We should not be surprised to learn this... Only that his Instagram geo location gave him away.... That they are allowed to use these devices after snowden revelations is very worrying. US intelligence services must be having a field day......

Quick! Someone inform the Kremlin! LOL

He is not there because he is loyal to the rebels in fact he complains he has no idea what they are suppose to be doing or why. Clearly he has been sent there but, does not happy about it. And as for him using a cell phone, eveyone has them and disipline in the Russian military is very poor. They mostly try and just keep them from deserting and/or stealing and selling off their equipment. This is not one of Russia elite units that is well funded, trained and lead. This is just part of the regular army who have problems with their officers selling equipment they should have, stealing funding for training and have to deal with getting smacked around by the same people. Honestly those guys have it real bad. it is a marvel they manage as well as they do.

I'm a tad dubious about it all, too easy. After reading about the capabilities of GHCQ, fair chance the whole thing has been created for different reasons.
This thread has the info.
www.abovetopsecret.com...
a reply to: Blackmarketeer

originally posted by: VashKonnor
a reply to: Blackmarketeer

I find this hilarious.

Instagram being used as evidence in war crimes.

Why not? Nazi Germany and Saddam Hussein kept records of their war crimes.

a reply to: lightedhype

So what?

Its evidence of Putin continuing to lie to the world about Russia's involvement in Ukraine. It supports the case being leveled at Russia.

Your response is just the cherry on the parfait. You guys demand and demand evidence to prove the claims, and when it comes (By the Russian military no less) you guys dismiss it.

Always an excuse, after excuse, after excuse...

I cant wait to see what Putins next lie is to try and disassociate himself with this latest evidence supplied courtesy of the Russian military.

a reply to: stormcell

Hacked into his account?

Since when?

Source?

originally posted by: funkadeliaaaa
There will be Russian soldiers in Ukraine loyal to the rebels just as there are militants all over Europe joining Isis.
Loyalties run deep out there.

Doing everything you can to dismiss it and justify their presence. Maybe you should get the talking points from the Kremlin because Putin has stated time and again there are no Russian military units in Ukraine.

Your excuse does not work nor is it supported by the Russian government.

What the link does show is the continued invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

originally posted by: Colbomoose
I'm a tad dubious about it all, too easy. After reading about the capabilities of GHCQ, fair chance the whole thing has been created for different reasons.
This thread has the info.
www.abovetopsecret.com...
a reply to: Blackmarketeer

This is not the first Russian soldier to post images / locations on their social networking site. I think they are up to 3 or 4 now.

All those thousands of Russian Troops fighting in East Ukraine must be some great fighters, able to evade capture and death!

Out of all the many dead and captured "Rebels", I don't recall any being held up to the journalists and shown / proven to be Russian. Instead we get laughable "evidence" from alleged Twitter and Instagram accounts!

Where are all these thousands of Russian troops allegedly posing as Ukrainian rebels, apart from in the minds of the western intelligence (I use that term sarcastically) agencies and the Kiev clowns?

originally posted by: Xcathdra

originally posted by: VashKonnor
a reply to: Blackmarketeer

I find this hilarious.

Instagram being used as evidence in war crimes.

Why not? Nazi Germany and Saddam Hussein kept records of their war crimes.

Yes, but it's quite pathetic, in a funny way.

With espionage and cyber-attacks and all that stuff, the evidence that could prove Russian influence in Ukraine is a post in Instragram made by a soldier who is completely clueless to what's going on.

When I read it I pictured a general going red in rage and yelling something like "DIMITRI! The Americans are watching, stop posting pictures!".

And then you keep scrolling and you would see more posts of sushi meals and legs on a beach.

more proof from Social Networks? NICE!

after all, that is what Russians said: "all you have is "social media proof".

I don't know; it seems to me like the US/West are intentionally destroying the credibility of the governments, media and politicians; just not sure why they're doing it...

or there are people who actually take their word for it?

a reply to: VashKonnor

Its also satellite images, intercepted phone calls, rebels bragging on social media, russian soldiers on social media.