A recent investigation by Sheme, the investigative unit of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Ukraine, has uncovered that a Russian state-backed foundation financed efforts in Ukraine to promote Kremlin propaganda and undermine Kyiv’s defense.
The findings are based on tens of thousands of emails and documents obtained from the Danish public broadcaster DR and shared with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and other media outlets, including Sheme.
Operations Through Intermediaries
The foundation, known as Pravfond (Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Abroad), reportedly distributed funds through intermediaries, referred to as “custodians,” to gather information supporting Kremlin narratives and weaken Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Documents indicate that a Kyiv-based organization called the Center for Legal Consultations hosted Ukrainian citizens while preparing reports for Russian authorities on alleged “war crimes by Ukrainian Armed Forces” and violations of rights of Russian-speaking residents. Many of those involved were not Russian citizens.
The “Ukrainian Direction” report reviewed by Sheme identified two Moscow-based coordinators overseeing the operation, including Yevhen Baklanov, a Ukrainian citizen wanted for treason since 2022. In 2022 alone, the center reportedly conducted 309 legal consultations, including advice on border crossings and methods to avoid mobilization, potentially undermining Kyiv’s military recruitment.
Propaganda and Online Influence
The investigation also revealed that the network ran several websites promoting the Kremlin’s false narrative of Ukraine requiring “denazification,” aiming to legitimize Russian aggression and delegitimize the Ukrainian government.
One report highlighted Pravcentar, a site claiming that Ukrainian refugees in Poland were “convincing people of the need for denazification in Ukraine” and portraying the Ukrainian government as “neo-fascist,” reinforcing Moscow’s propaganda efforts.
Financial Links and Oversight
Pravfond was founded by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rosotrudnichestvo, a state agency claiming to strengthen Russia’s humanitarian influence abroad. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov serves as chair of its board of trustees.
Documents show that Baklanov received at least one disbursal of funds from Pravfond via a Russian bank account, though it remains unclear if the money reached Ukrainian lawyers. The foundation also reportedly sought over 3 million rubles (approx. $39,000) in 2025 to provide “legal support for compatriots in Ukraine.”
International and Local Repercussions
The European Union has sanctioned Pravfond and its leadership for subversive activities against Ukraine. While Ukraine previously imposed sanctions on the foundation in 2021, they expired in 2024 and were not renewed.
The revelations underscore the breadth of Russia’s covert efforts in Ukraine, combining legal, financial, and digital channels to support its war objectives, promote propaganda, and interfere with Ukrainian defense mechanisms.
