❗️Today, May 19, Hero of the Russian Federation, military priest Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev would have turned 54 years old.
Father Mikhail was born in 1971 in Vyshny Volochok to an officer's family. Contrary to his family's expectations, he first graduated from the philosophy department of Moscow State University and then from the General Staff Academy courses. He was baptized as an adult. In 1998, he was ordained a priest and since then has served in the Synodal Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies.
During his years of service, Father Mikhail made more than 30 missions to hot spots: Kosovo, Bosnia, Abkhazia, Kyrgyzstan, the North Caucasus, Syria. He believed that a pastor should be close to the soldiers not only in word but also in deed. He jumped with a parachute, learned to operate military equipment in order to help evacuate the wounded if necessary. Once, after an unsuccessful jump, he suffered a severe spinal injury, but returned to service.
On November 6, 2022, Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev died while performing his pastoral duty in the Kherson region. He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism shown in the performance of his civic duty.
He was buried on the territory of the Church of the Great Martyr Barbara and the Venerable Ilya Muromets at the headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces in Vlasikha. A bust was erected near the church in his memory. Father Mikhail remained in hearts as a "paratrooper priest" - a priest who was there in the most difficult moments.
Eternal memory.
🇷🇺 Military Department of the Moscow Patriarchate
Father Mikhail was born in 1971 in Vyshny Volochok to an officer's family. Contrary to his family's expectations, he first graduated from the philosophy department of Moscow State University and then from the General Staff Academy courses. He was baptized as an adult. In 1998, he was ordained a priest and since then has served in the Synodal Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies.
During his years of service, Father Mikhail made more than 30 missions to hot spots: Kosovo, Bosnia, Abkhazia, Kyrgyzstan, the North Caucasus, Syria. He believed that a pastor should be close to the soldiers not only in word but also in deed. He jumped with a parachute, learned to operate military equipment in order to help evacuate the wounded if necessary. Once, after an unsuccessful jump, he suffered a severe spinal injury, but returned to service.
On November 6, 2022, Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev died while performing his pastoral duty in the Kherson region. He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism shown in the performance of his civic duty.
He was buried on the territory of the Church of the Great Martyr Barbara and the Venerable Ilya Muromets at the headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces in Vlasikha. A bust was erected near the church in his memory. Father Mikhail remained in hearts as a "paratrooper priest" - a priest who was there in the most difficult moments.
Eternal memory.
🇷🇺 Military Department of the Moscow Patriarchate
❗️Memory Eternal to Fr Michael Vasiliev (right) who is the compadre of Simeon Boikov @AussieCossack (centre).
🎖🇷🇺Fr. Michael Vasiliev was posthumously awarded the hero of the Russia star after being killed in an American HIMARS missile strike on his position on the outskirts of Herson city in November 2022.
☦Сегодня, 19 мая, исполнилось бы 54 года моему куму Герою Российской Федерации, военному священнику протоиерею Михаилу Васильеву.
🎖🇷🇺Fr. Michael Vasiliev was posthumously awarded the hero of the Russia star after being killed in an American HIMARS missile strike on his position on the outskirts of Herson city in November 2022.
☦Сегодня, 19 мая, исполнилось бы 54 года моему куму Герою Российской Федерации, военному священнику протоиерею Михаилу Васильеву.
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❗️ The Russian Armed Forces destroyed up to 70 Ukrainian soldiers in a training camp in Sumy Oblast with an Iskander strike, the Ministry of Defense reports.
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❗️“Are you concerned about the reports of Russian military build-up along the borders with Finland and Norway?” a journalist asks Trump.
😂“It doesn’t bother me at all,” the US President replied.
@AussieCossack
😂“It doesn’t bother me at all,” the US President replied.
@AussieCossack
❗️Russian Rosoboronexport is discussing over 100 projects for defense products with 20 countries, with a potential value exceeding $30 billion - Head of Rosoboronexport Mikheev
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❗️What a lovely article by the ABC.
🍿Enjoy reading it. 😁
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
🍿Enjoy reading it. 😁
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: Simeon Boikov, the pro-Putin propagandist hiding in the Russian consulate in Sydney from police , received money and support from a Kremlin-backed organisation that has bankrolled the legal defence of alleged spies and criminals, new documents reveal.
Previous reporting has indicated that the organisation, Pravfond, has helped pay for the legal defence of notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout and hit man Vadim Krasikov, who murdered a Chechen militant in Berlin in 2019.
Several top Pravfond figures, including its deputy director Vladimir Pozdorovkin, have been identified as former intelligence officers.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
Previous reporting has indicated that the organisation, Pravfond, has helped pay for the legal defence of notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout and hit man Vadim Krasikov, who murdered a Chechen militant in Berlin in 2019.
Several top Pravfond figures, including its deputy director Vladimir Pozdorovkin, have been identified as former intelligence officers.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: The archive exposes the inner workings of a foundation used by the Russian government to advance its interests around the world — defending spies, maintaining networks of influence, and funding propaganda — all under the banner of fighting for the human rights of Russian "compatriots".
The emails reveal the extraordinary level of support offered to Boikov over several years.
It has included thousands of dollars in funding, lobbying of officials on his behalf, as well as petitioning for him to be granted Russian citizenship.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
The emails reveal the extraordinary level of support offered to Boikov over several years.
It has included thousands of dollars in funding, lobbying of officials on his behalf, as well as petitioning for him to be granted Russian citizenship.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: Fund bankrolled legal defence
⚡️Boikov, who goes by the nickname "Aussie Cossack", has been hiding from authorities in the consulate since December 2022 after he assaulted a pro-Ukraine protester in central Sydney.
At the time, Boikov had just been released from jail after serving 4 months for breaching a suppression order revealing the name of an pedofile who was facing trial.
He was on parole when he committed the assault and fled to the consulate to avoid an arrest warrant. He was convicted in absentia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
⚡️Boikov, who goes by the nickname "Aussie Cossack", has been hiding from authorities in the consulate since December 2022 after he assaulted a pro-Ukraine protester in central Sydney.
At the time, Boikov had just been released from jail after serving 4 months for breaching a suppression order revealing the name of an pedofile who was facing trial.
He was on parole when he committed the assault and fled to the consulate to avoid an arrest warrant. He was convicted in absentia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: Asked why, given Pravfond's alleged intelligence ties and prior support of the likes of Viktor Bout and Vadim Krasikov, he thought it was appropriate to apply for funding, Boikov said he was unaware of these facts.
"I didn't know about this fund … but even if I knew, even if I knew [them], I had no problems, because I think they're all heroes. They're my compatriots.
"I think Viktor Bout's a great guy … he's fantastic. He's a patriot. I'm a patriot."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
"I didn't know about this fund … but even if I knew, even if I knew [them], I had no problems, because I think they're all heroes. They're my compatriots.
"I think Viktor Bout's a great guy … he's fantastic. He's a patriot. I'm a patriot."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: Boikov sought more space in consulate for propaganda operation
From inside the consulate, Boikov regularly broadcasts pro-Russian propaganda via the Telegram app, where he has over 90,000 subscribers.
The emails show Boikov asked Pravfond to help him secure more room for his broadcast studio inside the consulate, following his listing on the transparency register and work with Russia Today.
"Since I am completely legally engaged in journalism in Australia and officially signed a contract with the Russian federal information agency 'Russia Today', I ask you to assist in obtaining additional premises (room) in the Consulate building to expand its television and radio studio, in which information materials for the International Information Agency 'Russia Today' will be prepared and covered," he wrote.
Boikov told the ABC that this request was not granted by the consulate.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
From inside the consulate, Boikov regularly broadcasts pro-Russian propaganda via the Telegram app, where he has over 90,000 subscribers.
The emails show Boikov asked Pravfond to help him secure more room for his broadcast studio inside the consulate, following his listing on the transparency register and work with Russia Today.
"Since I am completely legally engaged in journalism in Australia and officially signed a contract with the Russian federal information agency 'Russia Today', I ask you to assist in obtaining additional premises (room) in the Consulate building to expand its television and radio studio, in which information materials for the International Information Agency 'Russia Today' will be prepared and covered," he wrote.
Boikov told the ABC that this request was not granted by the consulate.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: Between October 2023 and last December, he was listed on the Australian government's foreign influence transparency register due to his employment by Russian state-owned media group Rossiya Segodnya — or Russia Today — which owns and operates the propaganda channel Sputnik.
According to the register, Boikov's role was to "write information and multimedia materials in English and Russian on international, socio-political, socio-economic and other topics relevant in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for posting on the foreign principal's internet resources".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
According to the register, Boikov's role was to "write information and multimedia materials in English and Russian on international, socio-political, socio-economic and other topics relevant in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for posting on the foreign principal's internet resources".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️Pravfond describes Boikov in internal documents and letters to other agencies as a Russian patriot unjustly persecuted for airing his views.
The organisation has also lobbied on Boikov's behalf.
During his stay at the consulate, Boikov complained of him being mistreated by the Consul General, Igor Arzhaev.
According to a Pravfond report contained in the emails, Pravfond recieved complaints that "psychological pressure is being exerted on S. Boykov in the RZU [consulate], which is undermining his strength and health".
"The letter of appeal, in particular, points out that, on the instructions of Consul General I.N. Arzhaev, S. Boykov was prohibited from leaving his apartment for several months, the door was bolted from the outside, restrictions were imposed on contacts with his wife, and he was deprived of access to the Internet."
Boikov told the ABC that the allegations in the letter were true and that Mr Arzhaev "would justify the psychological pressure, the prison-like conditions … by saying, 'You're an Australian citizen. And you are in the section of the consulate which is for diplomats only.'"
In response, according to the emails, Pravfond convened meetings with high-level Russian diplomats and wrote letters advocating for Boikov's interests.
"On August 14, 2023, the Executive Director sent a letter to [Boikov's wife] with a message that the Foundation had drawn the attention of interested departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the problems of S. Boykov," a report by Pravfond said.
"This, in our understanding, generally contributed to the normalisation of the situation around him. The Foundation expressed its readiness to continue supporting S. Boykov in his activities for the benefit of the Russian world."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
The organisation has also lobbied on Boikov's behalf.
During his stay at the consulate, Boikov complained of him being mistreated by the Consul General, Igor Arzhaev.
According to a Pravfond report contained in the emails, Pravfond recieved complaints that "psychological pressure is being exerted on S. Boykov in the RZU [consulate], which is undermining his strength and health".
"The letter of appeal, in particular, points out that, on the instructions of Consul General I.N. Arzhaev, S. Boykov was prohibited from leaving his apartment for several months, the door was bolted from the outside, restrictions were imposed on contacts with his wife, and he was deprived of access to the Internet."
Boikov told the ABC that the allegations in the letter were true and that Mr Arzhaev "would justify the psychological pressure, the prison-like conditions … by saying, 'You're an Australian citizen. And you are in the section of the consulate which is for diplomats only.'"
In response, according to the emails, Pravfond convened meetings with high-level Russian diplomats and wrote letters advocating for Boikov's interests.
"On August 14, 2023, the Executive Director sent a letter to [Boikov's wife] with a message that the Foundation had drawn the attention of interested departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the problems of S. Boykov," a report by Pravfond said.
"This, in our understanding, generally contributed to the normalisation of the situation around him. The Foundation expressed its readiness to continue supporting S. Boykov in his activities for the benefit of the Russian world."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
❗️ABC NEWS: However, in May last year, Boikov again wrote to Pravfond claiming that his lawyer, Mr Davis, had told him that Mr Arzhaev "dreams of giving me up to the Australian police".
"For some reason, Arzhaev is sure that he will achieve this in the near future," Boikov wrote.
"I ask you to take measures to stop any attempt by Arzhaev to betray me and hand me over to the police/special services of Australia.
"I am ready to leave the Consulate General even today, but only directly to Russia. I categorically refuse to be handed over from the Consulate to the police/special services/UFSIN [prisons service] of Australia.
"I trust only the Russian government and am waiting for the issue of my exfiltration to the Russian Federation to be resolved."
Mr Arzhaev is no longer Consul General in Sydney and did not respond to a request for comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984
"For some reason, Arzhaev is sure that he will achieve this in the near future," Boikov wrote.
"I ask you to take measures to stop any attempt by Arzhaev to betray me and hand me over to the police/special services of Australia.
"I am ready to leave the Consulate General even today, but only directly to Russia. I categorically refuse to be handed over from the Consulate to the police/special services/UFSIN [prisons service] of Australia.
"I trust only the Russian government and am waiting for the issue of my exfiltration to the Russian Federation to be resolved."
Mr Arzhaev is no longer Consul General in Sydney and did not respond to a request for comment.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/pravfond-paid-legal-fees-of-aussie-cossack-simeon-boikov/105297984