Kremlin-Backed Activists in Latvia Revealed by Baltica Investigation
The Foundation for the Defense and Support of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond), a Russian government-established organisation, has been in the spotlight recently due to allegations of continuing pro-Kremlin activities in Latvia despite being under EU sanctions since 2023.
Pravfond, often referred to as a "spy fund" by Scandinavian media, has been accused of channelling funds into legal aid centres and pro-Russian propaganda channels in Latvia. This support reportedly extends to Kremlin-aligned individuals such as lawyers, propagandists, and intelligence agents in the region.
Investigative shows like Re:Baltica and TV3's Nekā Personīga have obtained nearly 50,000 documents from the Law Foundation, covering the period from 2007 to 2025. These documents suggest that at least 15 pro-Kremlin activists in Latvia have requested a total of 164 thousand euros from Pravfond since 2017.
Some of the funds were allocated for specific purposes. For instance, 4,000 euros were given to the lawyer of pro-Kremlin activist Aleksandr Gaponenko, while another 16 thousand euros were given to a Kremlin propagandist for publishing a book about the history of Latvia. Additionally, almost 55 thousand euros were given to a former Latvian journalist for distributing "objective information" on Telegram about Baltic events.
Notably, approximately 56 thousand euros were requested after Pravfond was included in the EU sanctions list in June 2023, which makes this funding illegal. The documents also reveal that money was given to an association in Germany for the defense of compatriots there, and a conference in France - "80 Years Later: France Together with Russia" was organized with Pravfond's funding.
The Russian interpretation of the term "compatriot" is broad, including anyone with a link to Russia. This broad definition has allowed Pravfond to extend its reach and influence in various countries, making it a tool for Russian hybrid warfare, pursuing geopolitical interests.
Normunds Mežviets, head of the Latvian State Security Service (VDD), has stated that Pravfond has long been used to achieve the goals of Russian special services. The exact legal consequences for Pravfond and its collaborators under EU and Latvian law are yet to be determined, but they may involve prosecution, fines, and other restrictive measures for violating EU sanctions regulations.
It remains unclear whether the new facts revealed by the journalists will have criminal consequences. However, the continued activities of Pravfond in Latvia, despite EU sanctions, underscore the need for vigilance and enforcement of these sanctions to maintain the integrity of EU member states.
References: 1. Re:Baltica and TV3's Nekā Personīga investigative show. (n.d.). Pravfond: Russian Foundation for the Defense and Support of Compatriots Living Abroad. Retrieved from https://en.rebank.lv/pravfond-russian-foundation-for-the-defence-and-support-of-compatriots-living-abroad/
- The investigation into Pravfond, often labeled as a "spy fund" by Scandinavian media, has uncovered its channeling of funds into legal aid centers and pro-Russian propaganda channels in Latvia, which allegedly extend to Kremlin-aligned individuals.
- The media, particularly Re:Baltica and TV3's Nekā Personīga, obtained nearly 50,000 documents from the Law Foundation, revealing that at least 15 pro-Kremlin activists in Latvia have received funds illegally from Pravfond since 2017.
- The media findings suggest that Pravfond's activities could be linked to Russian politics and policy-and-legislation, as funds were allegedly used for publishing pro-Kremlin books and distributing "objective information" about war-and-conflicts and general-news on Telegram.
- The continued operations of Pravfond in Europe, despite EU sanctions, are a matter of crime-and-justice and highlight the importance of enforcing these sanctions to protect the EU from Russian hybrid warfare and pursuing geopolitical interests.
