Russia rolls out ads using teen slang to talk youths out of arson and sabotage jobs
New government-backed public service ads have appeared in St. Petersburg, using teenage slang to persuade young people to turn down offers to commit arson or sabotage against infrastructure. The campaign comes amid a rise in teenagers being recruited for such crimes.
Digital banners spotted in St. Petersburg show smiling teenagers alongside slang captions describing how they "coolly" walked away from jobs to torch a relay cabinet or a cell tower, or to plant a bomb — avoiding prison terms of up to 15 years.
The ads belong to a project called Vykhod31 ("Exit 31"), launched under the Russian government's Obyasnyaem.rf initiative. Its website says the project was created in response to increasingly frequent attempts to lure young Russians into arson, bombings, and other acts of terrorism. The name references Article 31 of Russia's Criminal Code, which covers voluntary abandonment of a crime. The campaign is already being promoted by state media, members of the Federation Council, and lawmakers from both the outgoing State Duma and regional legislatures.
Messaging and resources
State news agency RIA Novosti said the project combines outdoor advertising, posters, TV commercials, and social media content. Part of the messaging teaches teenagers that genuine law enforcement officers will never contact them via messaging apps from an unknown number. The website also offers guidance for teens and parents, plus accounts from children imprisoned over arson and sabotage cases.
Background
Arson attacks on railway relay cabinets, cell towers, and other infrastructure have been recurring across Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, frequently involving teenagers — the youngest detainee was just 11, even though criminal liability for terrorism and sabotage starts at age 14.
As of May 2026, independent outlet Mediazona had documented at least 240 teenagers detained on terrorism or sabotage charges since the war began. In 205 of those cases, the motive was attributed to a desire for quick cash from side jobs; six were tricked by scammers, and five cited opposition to the war. Mediazona's investigation found that such job postings, often disguised as insurance fraud or other shady schemes, are actually placed by Ukrainian and Russian security services, and human rights activists say security service provocateurs may also be involved.
