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Anonymous offers Russian soldiers £39k in Bitcoin if they surrender their tanks in Ukraine invasion

With the Russian rouble collapsing in value many Russians are turning to Bitcoin as an alternative currency - Anonymous is hoping to tempt them away from the invasion of Ukraine with it

Russia: Anonymous declare cyber-war on Putin amid invasion

As its 'cyber warfare' campaign against Russia intensifies, the hacktivist collective Anonymous has now turned its sights to Russian soldiers themselves: by offering them payments in Bitcoin in exchange for handing over their tanks.

Ukrainian media reports that Anonymous has amassed more than 1 billion Russian roubles (£7.8 million) and is offering tank crews around £39,000 in Bitcoin for each surrendered tank.

If Russian troops surrender with a white flag and use the passcode 'million', they'll be eligible for the payout.

Anonymous has said: 'Russian soldiers, everyone who wants to live with their families, children, and not die, the Anonymous global community has collected RUB 1,225,043 in Bitcoin to help you."

Anonymous said it will give Russian soldiers £39k in Bitcoin if they surrender their tanks(Image: Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via)

The offer of Bitcoin is designed to be particularly tantalising to Russian troops at a time when the rouble has collapsed in value following international economic sanctions on Russia.

The value of Bitcoin soared by more than 15% yesterday after the US Treasury announced sanctions against Russian banks and assets. In Russia, Bitcoin is being touted as an alternative currency as Russians face massive price increases almost overnight.

The offer comes as a huge convoy of Russian tanks bears down on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Anonymous declared 'cyber war' on Russia last week in response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine

Last week Anonymous reportedly hacked some of Russia's main broadcast news networks and websites demanding an end to the war.