Moldova Helps Ukraine Detain Russian Propagandist, Organiser of Interference in European Elections
Ukrainian and Moldovan law enforcement officers jointly detained Dmitry Chistilin, the Kremlin ideologue of Russia's armed aggression, as he was trying to return to Russia through third countries.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office.
Chistilin is an assistant to ex-advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sergei Glazyev, one of the main organisers of the seizure of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the author of the ‘Information Warfare Strategy’, which justified Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Between 2016 and 2024, Chistilin prepared several ‘analytical materials’ for the Kremlin, in which he supported Russia's armed aggression and promoted the ‘integration’ of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine into Russia.
Chistilin wrote numerous publications aimed at information attacks against Ukraine.
He also promoted the Kremlin's interests outside Russia. In particular, he was involved in organising interference in electoral processes in Eastern and Central Europe in favour of Moscow.
Under the guise of a representative of the Ukrainian public, the defendant took part in so-called ‘round tables’ in Europe, where he spread Kremlin narratives in an attempt to reduce support for Ukraine among Western partners.
Chistilin was detained after participating in one of these ‘forums’.
Chistilin, who left Ukraine before Russia's full-scale invasion, is now in custody.
He is suspected of treason and denying Russia's armed aggression.
The Russian faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.