The right-wing organization “Russian Community” is facing renewed scrutiny from the media outlet Mediazona, following a series of violent incidents involving its members, and an alleged Russian police cooperation.
The Russian Community is an ultranationalist organization active across multiple Russian regions, known for its Orthodox fundamentalism, anti-Western stance, and anti-Caucasian sentiments. It was founded in 2020 by Evgeny Chesnokov, Andrey Afanasyev, and Andrey Tkachyov — respectively a pro-government journalist, an Orthodox media affiliate, and the former leader of the anti-abortion movement “For Life.” The group aligns closely with state policy, including support for the invasion of Ukraine, and targets what it sees as threats from migrants, ethnic minorities, and liberal cultural influences. It maintains close ties with parts of the law enforcement apparatus, notably Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee.
In recent months, the group has been linked to incidents involving physical assaults, unlawful detentions, home raids, and a fatal fire. Authorities have acknowledged its involvement in several cases, particularly in the St. Petersburg and Moscow regions. While investigations have been launched, they have rarely resulted in arrests or prosecutions.
Although the organization denies direct responsibility in many cases, its methods and public messaging have raised concerns among legal experts and human rights groups about the normalization of vigilantism and extrajudicial violence. With a nationwide network, large online following, and an unofficial enforcement role, the group no longer operates at the margins.
Its rising influence raises questions about the state’s tolerance—or potential delegation—of regalian functions to third-party actors operating under the banner of patriotism and traditional values.