Russian Front Organizations and Western Academia

Abstract

This article examines the activities of two Russian front organizations targeting Western academia and broader international audiences. These activities are part of contemporary Russian information warfare and are fundamentally entrenched in Soviet intelligence traditions, aiming to reinforce Russian official historical narratives and propaganda. The objectives of these organizations include undermining Western scholars’ critical perspectives and shaping public opinion favorable to the Russian Federation’s foreign policy and its methods of governing. Backed by the Russian secret services and the presidential administration, these organizations engage in using and coopting academics who help them disseminate Russian historical myths and propaganda that demonize the West in general and Ukraine in particular. An analysis of selected cases of Russian influence on Western academia and public opinion present a sample of the wide range of Russian intelligence practices symptomatic of the Russian anti-Western information campaign.