The Insider has examined leaked data from Russia’s border control system, and it turns out that several of the Kremlin’s most prominent on-screen propagandists and behind-the-scenes media executives are Europhiles at heart. At work inside Russia, they decry Western “decay,” denounce the “rampant Russophobia” of the democratic world, and harp on the supposed “irrelevance” of European leaders in the arena of global affairs. However, before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many of Vladimir Putin’s officially Europhobic information warriors frequented vacation spots in France, Italy, and Spain, and even after Feb. 24, 2022, at least 70 of them have not been targeted by EU sanctions, allowing them to freely travel to Europe. In fact, many still own property in NATO member states. The Insider compiled a full list.

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[…] France

Anatoly Kuzichev, co-host of the talk show Vremya Pokazhet (lit. “Time Will Tell”) on Kremlin-controlled Perviy Kanal (lit. “Channel One”), has made frequent visits to Paris in recent years. Travel records suggest that he also enjoys Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice, and even the United States.

Kuzichev is not alone in his fondness for France. Other Kremlin propagandists who frequent the country include:

  • Marina Danielyan, chief of staff to the CEO of Channel One
  • Larisa Krymova, head of public relations and internet broadcasting at Channel One
  • Alexander Fayfman, first deputy CEO of Channel One
  • Marina Kataya, deputy executive producer at NTV
  • Sergey Burygin, deputy CEO of REN TV
  • Yulia Bystritskaya, CEO of TV Center
  • Oleg Volnov, deputy CEO of Channel One for political programming
  • Gennady Gokhshtein, deputy CEO of VGTRK
  • Aleksey Yefimov, CEO of Channel One’s international division
  • Vadim Takmenyov, deputy executive producer at NTV
  • Anatoly Tupitsyn, executive producer at LLC AKCEPT (the legal name of REN TV)
  • Igor Ugolnikov, CEO of the VoenFilm Studio
  • Darya Khubova, executive producer at Vremya (Channel One’s main evening newscast)
  • Pyotr Shepin, commercial director at Channel One
  • Alexander Yakovenko, deputy director of news at NTV
  • Nailya Asker-Zade, television host and media personality

[…]

[The article lists dozens of other Russian propagandists who frequently visit European countries like Spain, Italy, Croatia, Estonia, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Finland.]