Maria Pevchikh, considered a ‘terrorist and extremist’ by Moscow, has been accused of taking part in ‘Russian information warfare’
Maria Pevchikh, an investigative journalist and key former associate of the late opposition figure Alexey Navalny, has been added to the notorious Ukrainian state-linked Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) database. The UK citizen is wanted in Russia on extremism-related charges.
The controversial database lists individuals who supposedly pose a threat to Ukrainian national security. According to its website, Pevchikh, 37, was included for allegedly aiding Moscow’s information warfare “aimed at lifting sanctions against Russia.”
The activist, who assumed leadership of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in March 2023, was added to the blacklist on January 12, her profile on the site suggests. Information on the late Russian opposition figure’s ally includes her personal data and says that she is currently residing in London.
It also alleges that Pevchikh participated in “humanitarian aggression against Ukraine” and “manipulated publicly significant information in favor” of Moscow.
Mirotvorets refers to one of the FBK-linked YouTube shows which aired in late December, where Pevchikh suggested partially lifting anti-Russian sanctions in exchange for Moscow releasing those she described as “political prisoners,” without mentioning anyone specifically.
In May 2023, Pevchikh was added to Russia’s ‘foreign agents’ list. The status is reserved for individuals who receive funding from abroad or are deemed to be ‘under foreign influence’ and seek to impact policies or public opinion in the country.
In January 2024, a Russian court issued an arrest warrant for Pevchikh, who was accused of “creating an extremist group, spreading ‘fakes’ about the Russian Armed Forces as well as vandalism.”
Pevchikh has reportedly lived outside Russia since 2006. In the early 2010s, she began her work with Navalny, who died at a Russian penal colony in February last year. In 2019, she obtained British citizenship; it remains unclear whether she has retained her Russian citizenship.
Created in 2014, Mirotvorets describes itself as a non-governmental organization researching “crimes against the national security of Ukraine, peace, humanity and international law.” It was initially backed by Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister. It has also apparently partnered with the nation’s security services at some point.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has referred to it as a “kill list.”
The controversial database has published the personal details of foreign journalists, politicians and various public figures for years. Some of the people on the list have subsequently reported facing death threats and others were killed.
The list includes former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who was recently tapped by US President-elect Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence, as well as prominent American journalist Tucker Carlson.
