Overview

Alexander Zhuchkovsky is a U.S.-designated member of the proscribed terrorist group, the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM). RIM is an ultranationalist, quasi-paramilitary group based in St. Petersburg, Russia. RIM seeks to create a “mono-ethnic state” led by a “Russian autocratic monarchy.”“White Supremacy Extremism: The Transnational Rise of the Violent White Supremacist Movement,” Soufan Center, September 2019, https://thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Report-by-The-Soufan-Center-White-Supremacy-Extremism-The-Transnational-Rise-of-The-Violent-White-Supremacist-Movement.pdf; Lester Feder, Edgar Mannheimer, and Jane Lytvynenko, “These Swedish Nazis Trained in Russia before Bombing a Center for Asylum Seekers,” BuzzFeed News, July 22, 2017, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/these-swedish-nazis-trained-in-russia#.jmj8rBGYv. Zhuchkovsky reportedly uses social media to fundraise and recruit for RIM. Given Zhuchkovsky’s role in RIM, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Zhuchkovsky as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and Specially Designated National (SDN) on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/; “Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220615.

Zhuchkovsky has reportedly utilized his own account on the Russia-based social media platform VK—previously known as VKontakte—to fundraise and recruit for the group. Since 2014, Zhuchkovsky has managed to raise 200 million rubles to purchase weapons and military equipment for RIM members and other pro-Russian fighters. The funds raised by Zhuchkovsky have also been allocated towards facilitating the travel of RIM fighters to Ukraine.“U.S. Sanctions Members of Russian Violent Extremist Group,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0817. According to the U.S. Department of State, Zhuchkovsky has also taught at RIM’s Partizan training center in St. Petersburg, Russia. The paramilitary training center provides participants with lessons on how to carry out acts of terrorism and violence.“U.S. Sanctions Members of Russian Violent Extremist Group,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0817. According to media sources, Zhuchkovsky fought in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and led an operation that included sending supplies such as radios, uniforms, cellphones, and everyday items to support the Russian fighters. Zhuchkovsky reportedly also raised $485,000 for the operation.Robyn Dixon, “Inside white-supremacist Russian Imperial Movement, designated foreign terrorist organization by U.S. State Department,” Washington Post, April 13, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-white-supremacist-terrorism-us/2020/04/11/255a9762-7a75-11ea-a311-adb1344719a9_story.html.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zhuchkovsky continued to use his social media accounts and online payment methods to support RIM. The funds have reportedly purchased military equipment and supplies for Russian fighters in the Donbas region of Ukraine.“U.S. Sanctions Members of Russian Violent Extremist Group,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0817.

Given Zhuchkovsky’s significant role in supporting RIM’s efforts across Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Zhuchkovsky as an SDGT and SDN on June 15, 2022.“Designation of Anton Thulin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designation-of-anton-thulin-as-a-specially-designated-global-terrorist/; “Specially Designated National List Update,” U.S. Department of State, June 15, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220615.