Kremlin's Financial Aid Discovered for Pro-Russian Activists in Latvia by Re:Baltica

In the wake of EU sanctions, there has been no publicly available information revealing which organisation has provided funding to at least three different projects in Latvia during 2023. However, a different story unfolds when it comes to the Foundation for the Defense and Support of Compatriots Living Abroad ('Pravfond'), a Russian entity that has been a subject of controversy.

Pravfond, often labelled as a Russian hybrid warfare tool, has been accused of paying lawyers for people accused of working for Russia. This allegation gains credence when we consider the allocation of 4,000 euros for the expenses of the lawyer of longtime pro-Kremlin activist Aleksandr Gaponenko.

Furthermore, Pravfond has been suspected of financing covert propaganda media. Almost 55 thousand euros were given to a former Latvian journalist for distributing "objective information" on the Telegram platform about what is happening in the Baltics. Another 16 thousand euros were given to a Kremlin propagandist for publishing a book about the history of Latvia.

The budget of Pravfond last year was 3.5 million US dollars, and its reach extends far beyond Russia. The foundation is officially engaged in the "protection of the rights of compatriots" in at least 40 countries. In Latvia, it has allocated money to at least three causes this year, and since 2017, at least 15 pro-Kremlin activists have requested a total of 164 thousand euros from Pravfond to pay their lawyers.

Investigative show Nekā Personīga, in collaboration with Re:Baltica, has obtained almost 50,000 documents from the Law Foundation, which cover the period from 2007 to 2025. These documents reveal that Pravfond has also provided funds for a book in English about the "War Crimes of the Kiev Regime" and money to an association in Germany to continue defending the interests of compatriots there.

Interestingly, the definition of a "compatriot" by Pravfond extends far beyond those holding actual Russian citizenship. This has raised concerns about the foundation's true intentions and its impact on the political landscape of countries where it operates.

Notably, at least three of the recipients of Pravfond's funds in Latvia are associated with the so-called Baltic Anti-Fascist group, which is considered a criminal organization by the Latvian security services. The petitioners include the mothers of men who waved the Russian flag and attacked a police officer at the Victory Monument.

In June 2023, Pravfond was included in the EU sanctions list, making any subsequent funding illegal. Approximately 56 thousand euros were requested after this inclusion, which, if proven, could lead to further scrutiny and potential legal consequences for those involved.

The activities of Pravfond in Latvia, as well as in other countries, continue to be a matter of public interest and concern, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder.

Kremlin's Financial Aid Discovered for Pro-Russian Activists in Latvia by Re:Baltica