Countries Launch Probe into Beneficiaries of a Russian Propaganda Foundation
News
Jun 10, 2025
Dear Compatriots
Stories
Investigation
Russian Foundation, Aimed at Helping ‘Compatriots’ Abroad, Supports Spies, Criminals, and Propagandists
For over a decade, ‘Pravfond’ has been providing legal aid to Russians across the world. Internal emails obtained by...
Investigation
Russian State-Backed Foundation Paid Allies in the EU Despite Sanctions
Pravfond, a Russian legal-aid foundation for “compatriots” abroad, has continued to fund people and organizations across the...
Interactive
Who Got Paid?
Stories From Our Partners
Media outlets in 26 countries published stories as part of the "Dear Compatriots" project. Here are some of their findings.
DR
Russia Supports Propaganda in Denmark with 200,000 Kroner
A news channel targeting Danes receives money from the Russian state, secret documents show.
Delfi Estonia
Kremlin Pays for Lawyer in Treason Case in Estonia
Estonian citizen Svetlana Burceva trained as an information warrior under FSB intelligence officers. Now, new documents show that the Kremlin's influence peddling fund, which is sanctioned in the EU, is covering her costs as she fights treason charges in Estonia.
Der Spiegel
The Secret Helpers of Russian Secret Services
The Kremlin's agents maintain a worldwide network of informants who are deployed as needed. In Germany, one man appears to be acting as a bridgehead.
LRT
Kremlin Money in Lithuania: Who's Getting Paid?
Thousands of documents reveal a Kremlin fund has funnelled money to pro-Russian lawyers and activists in Lithuania, despite being under EU sanctions.
investigace.cz
The Woman Who Solves Problems for Russian Interests
A new investigation reveals that Asmat Šanava, owner of the Pirosmani restaurant in Karlovy Vary, works as an intermediary for both Russian organized crime and the Kremlin.
Der Standard
Russian "Front Organization" Continues in Vienna, Despite Sanctions
A Russian foundation operates legal aid centers worldwide, including in Austria. European intelligence agencies consider it a cover operation.
Göteborgs-Posten
Russian Spy Fund Continued Funnelling Money Into the EU, Despite Sanctions
The Russian fund Pravfond secretly sends money to suspected enablers of the regime's spies and criminals.
ZDF
Moscow's Network of Helpers
When the Kremlin calls, they're ready. Russian intelligence agencies maintain a worldwide network of loyal assistants, including in Germany.
Frontstory.pl
Who Does Moscow Pay?
Through a special fund, Russia is financing support in Poland. Who is taking this money, and for what?
Dagbladet Information
Russian Influence Campaign Uncovered in Denmark
A Russian woman was politically active in the Liberal Alliance and the peace movement. Now she runs a propaganda channel funded by Moscow and aimed at Denmark.
Context.ro
Russian State-Backed Foundation Paid EU Allies Despite Sanctions
Pravfond sent funds to beneficiaries in EU member states using a wide range of tactics – from smuggling cash to sending money via bank accounts owned by third parties.
Knack
How Russian Intelligence Services Spread Propaganda and Disinformation Through Expats
A Russian diaspora fund is being used to finance Russian propaganda and intelligence activities: ‘We have almost thirty million compatriots abroad. It is an army, a force that is very important to us.’
Buro Media
How the Kremlin Sponsors the "Russian World" in Belarus
The Kremlin foundation 'Pravfond' has financed a variety of projects in Belarus: from propaganda literature and round tables, to legal assistance for a detained pro-Russia activist.
RISE Moldova
Pravfond: From Spies to Kremlin Pawns
Under the guise of defending human rights, a state-funded Russian foundation has for years promoted the Kremlin's geopolitical agenda globally - including providing legal support for alleged spies, criminals and propagandists.