Overview

Stanislav Shevchuk 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. Shevchuk reportedly serves as a representative for RIM. Given Shevchuk’s role in RIM, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Shevchuk 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.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Shevchuk, a Europe-based Ukrainian, reportedly traveled to the United States in 2017 seeking to establish connections between RIM and U.S.-based far-right extremist and nationalist groups. Furthermore, the Treasury Department revealed that Shevchuk has spoken on behalf of RIM at rallies all throughout Europe since 2019. While at these rallies, Shevchuk publicly advocated for the group.“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 Shevchuk’s role in supporting RIM’s efforts, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Shevchuk 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.