A well-known Russian military blogger has been accused of money laundering intended for front-line troops via his charitable organization following the release of hidden camera footage online.
The video, which appeared on Tuesday through pro-Kremlin Telegram news channels associated with Russia’s security agencies, allegedly features Roman Alyokhin, a blogger and adviser to the former governor of the Kursk region, as he discusses a financial scheme with representatives of Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky.
According to the footage, Galitsky’s associates suggested transferring 200 million rubles (approximately $2.4 million) to Alyokhin’s foundation, with only 150 million rubles ($1.8 million) intended for medical supplies for Russian forces in Ukraine.
While Alyokhin later denied any illegal activity, he acknowledged that the meeting occurred in May.
In an interview with the Telegram channel Ostorozhno Novosti, the blogger revealed that the proposal included monthly contributions of 100 million rubles, with two-thirds allocated for medical equipment from companies affiliated with Galitsky. Alyokhin maintained that he did not consent to the plan.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Galitsky, the billionaire founder of the Magnit supermarket chain, had not commented on the footage, nor had his representatives. His position on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine remains unclear more than three years into the conflict.
Alyokhin mentioned on his Telegram channel that he would provide a detailed explanation after reviewing the footage. Meanwhile, law enforcement has launched a preliminary investigation into potential fraud, according to the state news agency TASS.
The blogger, who has previously had conflicts with other pro-Kremlin figures, had his contract with Chechnya’s Akhmat special forces terminated after just 23 days last fall, following criticism from state TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov.
Alyokhin also briefly served as an adviser to former Kursk governor Alexi Smirnov, who was arrested earlier this year on fraud allegations and is currently awaiting trial.
