BBC Investigation Reveals Kremlin-Linked Funding for Russia’s Largest Nationalist Group
A BBC Eye investigation has uncovered that Russkaya Obshchina, Russia’s largest nationalist organization, is funded by foundations linked to pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Mikheyev and billionaire Igor Khudokormov. This contradicts the group's claims that it operates solely on member donations. Khudokormov, known as the 'sugar king,' is believed to be within the sphere of influence of Dmitry Patrushev, son of the former FSB chief. The report details how Russkaya Obshchina, founded in 2020, conducts raids against migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, often in coordination with police. Between 2023 and 2025, the group participated in over 900 such operations. The article highlights specific incidents, including a violent raid on a St. Petersburg club and the harassment of a migrant family in Novosibirsk. Independent journalists suggest the organization was likely created under FSB supervision to carry out state-aligned nationalist activities while maintaining a facade of grassroots support. The group actively supports the war in Ukraine and collaborates with the Russian Orthodox Church.
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