Russia’s Shadow Unit Exposed: How Google Translate Unraveled a Plot
A top-secret Russian intelligence unit, known internally as Center 795, designed to carry out assassinations and abductions abroad, has been compromised. The unlikely culprit? Google Translate. Established in December 2022 following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the unit aimed to function as a “shadow army,” bypassing bureaucratic hurdles within the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Arrest in Colombia and the Digital Trail
On February 24, 2026, Denis Alimov, a Russian national, was arrested at the Bogota airport in Colombia at the request of U.S. Authorities. He was en route to coordinate the elimination of two exiled dissidents, with a bounty of $1.5 million per target. The operation’s downfall stemmed from communication between Alimov and a Serbian intermediary, Darko Durovic, who used Google Translate to overcome a language barrier.
The FBI had been monitoring Durovic for months. Investigators were able to track all communications through Google Translate servers. Further investigation revealed Durovic had been researching weapons and their availability online.
Center 795: Structure and Origins
Center 795, reporting directly to the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, is structured into three sections: combat support, assault, and intelligence. The unit recruits experienced agents from various Russian security services, boasting approximately 500 officers. It is embedded within the Kalashnikov Concern, a Russian arms manufacturer, providing both cover and an operational base at the Patriot Park military-industrial complex outside Moscow.
The unit’s creation is linked to Andrei Bokarev, a billionaire arms dealer and former co-owner of Kalashnikov, who is considered the “ideological architect” behind Center 795.
From GRU Unit 29155 to Center 795
Center 795 appears to be a successor to GRU Unit 29155, previously implicated in the 2018 Salisbury poisoning and events surrounding Alexei Navalny. This suggests a continued Russian strategy of utilizing covert operations to target perceived opponents abroad.
Implications and International Repercussions
Alimov is currently detained in Colombia, facing charges of conspiracy to kidnap and murder, and conspiracy to finance terrorism. The exposure of Center 795 could lead to further international scrutiny of Russia’s intelligence activities and its relationships with other nations, particularly in the realm of counter-terrorism cooperation.
Russia has rejected U.S. Charges regarding the unit, maintaining its stance of protecting its security interests without external interference.
Did you know?
The use of readily available translation tools like Google Translate to facilitate covert operations highlights a surprising vulnerability in modern intelligence tradecraft.
FAQ
What is Center 795?
Center 795 is a top-secret Russian intelligence unit established in December 2022, tasked with carrying out assassinations, abductions, and sabotage abroad.
How was Center 795 exposed?
The unit was exposed when an agent, Denis Alimov, used Google Translate to communicate with an intermediary while planning an operation in Colombia.
Who is Denis Alimov?
Denis Alimov is a Russian national arrested in Colombia, accused of conspiring to kidnap and murder exiled dissidents.
What is the connection to Kalashnikov Concern?
Center 795 is embedded within Kalashnikov Concern, using the arms manufacturer’s facilities for cover and operations.
What was GRU Unit 29155?
GRU Unit 29155 was a previous Russian intelligence unit linked to the Salisbury poisoning and activities surrounding Alexei Navalny. Center 795 appears to be a successor to this unit.
Pro Tip: The case underscores the importance of secure communication channels for intelligence operations and the potential for open-source tools to be exploited by investigators.
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