Investigation: Russia uses leftist network to recruit fighters for war in Ukraine

An investigation by "The Insider" alleges that Russia has built an extensive network abroad that unites socialist and anti-globalist groups under the guise of leftist ideas. According to the outlet, such networks typically begin with seemingly harmless activities like community clean-ups and discussion clubs, before escalating into street protests, disinformation campaigns, and even sabotage operations in Western countries.

Recruitment for war

One of the investigation's most alarming findings is that this network has also been used to recruit people to fight on Russia's side against Ukraine. "The Insider" says it identified several UK and US citizens who were reportedly persuaded to go to war through communists and far-left activists acting as intermediaries. Among those linked to the recruitment effort, the outlet names Beness Aijo, who grew up in Latvia.

"Sovintern" founded in Moscow

The central event in the report is the founding forum of the international socialist network "Sovintern," held at the House of Trade Unions in Moscow in late April 2026. The event was organized by the "A Just Russia" party. The name deliberately echoes the historical Comintern (Communist International) — the Soviet-era body Moscow once used to coordinate foreign communist parties and expand its global influence.

Russia's leadership made no secret of its backing for the initiative — the forum opened with a congratulatory message from President Vladimir Putin himself. The publicly stated goal of "Sovintern" is to produce as much informational material as possible, which members in each country are expected to distribute domestically in order to attract new supporters and encourage them to discredit their own governments.