Russia has spent millions of dollars on a covert political campaign abroad: at least $300 million has gone into bribing foreign politicians since 2014, according to US intelligence. Such data were given by unnamed high-ranking officials of the US presidential administration to several media at once – The Washington Post , CNN , Reuters .
Thus, the Russian authorities tried to influence the political situation outside the country. $300 million was intended for foreign parties and individual politicians from more than 20 countries. At the same time, the Kremlin planned to spend hundreds of millions more to advance its interests in the world, writes The Washington Post.
Sources in the Joe Biden administration speak of countries such as Albania, Montenegro, Madagascar and possibly Ecuador. Another Asian country is mentioned, but its name was not disclosed. The Washington Post writes that there the Russian ambassador handed over millions of dollars in cash to the presidential candidate.
CNN sources claim that this is how the Kremlin supported, among other things, extreme right-wing and nationalist forces within countries and tried to “manipulate democracies” from within, but specific politicians and parties are not named. For this, Russia used, among other things, cryptocurrency, cash and expensive gifts – the accounts and resources of Russian embassies were used.
Shell companies and various think tanks and foundations were also involved. The transfers were controlled by the FSB, as well as by private individuals and businessmen — for example, Evgeny Prigozhin, “Putin’s chef” and owner of PMC Wagner, and Alexander Babakov, deputy chairman of the State Duma and businessman. The latter is allegedly involved in the financing of the far right in France, writes WP.
The intelligence data, however, does not concern Russia's covert activities in the United States.
In the coming months, Russia may increasingly rely on secret political financing tools to try to undermine the effectiveness of international sanctions and maintain influence in these countries against the backdrop of a war with Ukraine, according to the publication. In particular, Russia will try to use its influence in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
WP writes that the US State Department sent a letter to US embassies on September 12, which contains a description of Russia's covert activities. It has been shipped to over 100 countries.
“By shedding light on Russia’s covert political funding and its attempts to undermine democratic processes, we make it clear to such parties and candidates that if they are secretly receiving Russian money, we can reveal it and we will do it,” a senior US official told the publication.