Exposed: Duo Behind Pro-Russia Podcast Funded Paramilitaries

Exposed: Duo Behind Pro-Russia Podcast Funded Paramilitaries

An investigation has revealed the identities of two individuals, known online as Kil and Nikolai, who host a far-right podcast called “Russians with Attitude.” This podcast openly supports Russia’s war in Ukraine and has gained a significant following in the United States. For years, their real identities remained hidden until this investigative report uncovered them.

The podcast’s hosts advocate for Russia to annex parts of Ukraine. They also promote the idea of forcing a Ukrainian identity onto the population. Furthermore, they have expressed support for banning the Ukrainian language, with one host stating, “God, Ukrainian is such a weird language. I hope we ban this language after we win.” He described the language as “rude” and “against basic human decency.”

Unmasking the Hosts

Through collaborative research, the investigation identified Kil as Kiril Kamyki and Nikolai as Eldar Darlov. Both individuals have been active in far-right online communities for over a decade. They have carefully concealed their true identities during this time.

Beyond Propaganda: Funding the War Machine

The involvement of Kiril and Eldar goes beyond mere propaganda. They have actively fundraised for the Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rousich. They also raised funds for Russia’s Rosgvardia forces in Ukraine’s Donbas region. This support began after Russia’s initial invasion in 2014.

Kiril Kamyki reportedly conducted these fundraising activities while living in Germany. His anonymity was crucial to maintain his European residency while simultaneously supporting the Russian war effort. However, even anonymity did not fully protect him.

Legal Troubles and Platform Actions

In 2025, Kiril allegedly returned to Russia. This move reportedly followed pressure from a criminal case opened against him in Germany. Around the same time, both podcast hosts removed their fundraising posts. Previously, the podcast team was earning at least €6,000 per month through the platform Patreon.

In 2026, Patreon eventually removed their account. This action was taken after the investigation presented evidence of the hosts’ involvement in funding the Russian military. Another platform, Buy Me a Coffee, also blocked the podcast for violating its terms of service. However, many other Western platforms, including Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, have not taken similar action.

Aftermath and Current Status

Following the publication of the investigation, the podcast hosts claimed they were being doxed and threatened. These claims, however, remain unverified. Since then, they have reportedly logged out of their X (formerly Twitter) account. The podcast appears to have gone silent, with no new episodes released recently.

The full investigation provides further details on these findings. Readers can access the complete report through a link provided by the investigative team.

Strategic Implications

The unmasking of Kiril Kamyki and Eldar Darlov highlights the complex network of online support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The podcast served as a platform to influence Western audiences, promoting a pro-Russian narrative. This included justifications for the invasion and denigration of Ukrainian identity.

More critically, the investigation reveals direct financial links between the podcast hosts and Russian paramilitary groups. Fundraising for entities like Rousich is significant. Rousich has been associated with war crimes and operates as a proxy force for the Russian state. Such financial support can provide these groups with essential resources, including equipment and supplies, enabling them to continue operations in Ukraine.

The fact that one host was able to conduct these activities from Germany while maintaining European residency underscores the challenges in monitoring and countering foreign influence operations and financial support for sanctioned or designated groups. His subsequent departure to Russia suggests a response to legal pressure, indicating that such investigations can have real-world consequences.

Platform Responsibility

The varying responses from different online platforms raise questions about content moderation and the enforcement of terms of service. While Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee took action, the continued presence of the podcast on platforms like Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts suggests inconsistent application of policies regarding hate speech, incitement to violence, and support for military actions in active conflicts.

This situation is not unique. Similar networks have been identified supporting various conflicts globally. The case of “Russians with Attitude” demonstrates how seemingly niche online communities can serve as conduits for both ideological influence and material support for military actions. The investigation’s success in identifying the hosts and prompting action from some platforms offers a model for future efforts to disrupt such networks.

Source: Uncovering the anonymous hosts behind a pro-Russian podcast (YouTube)