1. Dmitry Kiselev

• Role: Head of Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) Media Group, including the state-owned news agency Sputnik and RT (Russia Today).
• Notable for: Kiselev is one of the most prominent faces of Russian state-run media. He is known for his extreme pro-Kremlin views and his direct, often inflammatory rhetoric. Kiselev has openly stated that Russia has “the world’s most powerful nuclear weapons” and has presented the West, particularly the U.S. and NATO, as adversaries to Russia’s interests. His programs often mix news with overtly partisan political commentary.
• Notable Quote: “Russia is the only country in the world that could turn the United States into radioactive ash.”

2. Olga Skabeeva

• Role: Host of the Russian state television program “60 Minutes” on Rossiya-1, known for its focus on geopolitical issues.
• Notable for: Skabeeva is a key figure in Russian media who has used her platform to promote Russian foreign policy and attack the West. She is known for her aggressive and sometimes combative style, especially when discussing U.S. and European politics. Her show often includes heated debates, demonizing Western leaders and countries that oppose Russian policies.
• Notable Quote: Skabeeva frequently portrays the West as morally bankrupt and corrupt, while presenting Russia as a protector of traditional values.

3. Sergey Lavrov

• Role: Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Notable for: While not a media personality, Sergey Lavrov is one of the most influential figures in Russian foreign policy and often serves as a mouthpiece for the Kremlin in international diplomacy. He is known for his sharp, confrontational rhetoric and has been involved in crafting Russia’s disinformation campaigns regarding Ukraine, Syria, and other geopolitical hotspots. Lavrov’s statements are often used in Russian media to justify Kremlin policies and promote Russian narratives on the global stage.
• Notable Quote: “The West must understand that it cannot get away with imposing its own rules on the rest of the world.”

4. Margarita Simonyan

• Role: Editor-in-chief of RT (Russia Today) and Sputnik News.
• Notable for: Simonyan is one of the most influential figures in Russian state-controlled media. She oversees the editorial direction of RT, Russia’s primary propaganda outlet, which broadcasts in multiple languages and aims to shape global perceptions of Russia. Simonyan is known for her staunch defense of Russia’s policies and her ability to frame global events in ways that align with the Kremlin’s interests. She has played a critical role in expanding RT’s reach to Western audiences, making it a major tool for Russian influence operations.
• Notable Quote: “We are fighting for the future of the world, and the future is with Russia.”

5. Vladimir Solovyov

• Role: Host of the popular Russian talk show “The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov”.
• Notable for: Solovyov is a pro-Kremlin political commentator and TV personality who often takes an aggressive stance against the West. He is one of the most visible faces of Russian state television, where his shows promote a highly nationalistic agenda. Solovyov’s programs frequently depict the U.S. and Europe as hostile powers, while portraying Russia as the victim of Western aggression. His inflammatory rhetoric and harsh attacks on foreign leaders, particularly U.S. presidents, have made him one of the most prominent faces of Russian state-sponsored propaganda.
• Notable Quote: “We will not allow anyone to dictate to us how we should live. Russia is a global power, and we are here to stay.”

6. Alexander Dugin

• Role: Philosopher and political theorist, often associated with the Eurasianist movement.
• Notable for: Dugin is a key ideologue of Russian nationalism and is considered an intellectual architect of Russian foreign policy under Vladimir Putin. His advocacy for the concept of a “Greater Russia” and his ideas on Eurasian integration have influenced Russian foreign policy, especially regarding Ukraine, Georgia, and the broader post-Soviet space. Dugin’s work is often cited by Russian nationalists and far-right movements, both in Russia and in Europe.
• Notable Quote: “The future belongs to the Eurasian empire, and Russia must lead this new world order.”

7. Vyacheslav Volodin

• Role: Speaker of the State Duma (the lower house of the Russian Parliament).
• Notable for: As a senior member of the Russian government, Volodin plays a crucial role in shaping domestic policy and promoting the Kremlin’s political agenda. He is a fierce critic of Western governments and often uses his position to spread pro-Kremlin narratives. Volodin has been instrumental in passing laws that crack down on opposition movements and independent media, which he frames as part of a broader effort to “defend Russian sovereignty.”
• Notable Quote: “The West is trying to impose its values on the entire world, and we must defend our right to live according to our own laws and traditions.”

8. Konstantin Malofeev

• Role: Russian oligarch, founder of the media group Tsargrad TV.
• Notable for: Malofeev is a key figure in Russia’s pro-Orthodox and nationalist media landscape. His media outlets promote conservative, anti-liberal views, and have been used as platforms to support Russian intervention in Ukraine and Syria. Malofeev is linked to the Kremlin and has been involved in funding separatist movements in Ukraine, making him a significant figure in the broader Russian propaganda ecosystem.
• Notable Quote: “Russia is the last defense against the decay of Western civilization.”

9. Andrey Klimov

• Role: Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Federation Council (the upper house of the Russian Parliament).
• Notable for: Klimov is a prominent Russian politician who has made numerous public statements attacking the West and accusing foreign countries of meddling in Russian domestic affairs. He is a leading figure in Russia’s disinformation efforts, particularly in relation to accusations of foreign interference in Russian elections or political processes. He has also been involved in spreading disinformation about the NATO alliance and Russia’s relations with former Soviet republics.
• Notable Quote: “The West has long been trying to undermine Russia’s sovereignty. It is time we stood up and protected our interests.”

10. Yevgeny Prigozhin

• Role: Oligarch and leader of the Wagner Group, a private military company.
• Notable for: Though primarily known for his role in Russia’s covert military operations, particularly in Ukraine and Syria, Prigozhin is also linked to Russia’s disinformation efforts. His organization, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), has been involved in online trolling, social media manipulation, and other influence campaigns designed to spread pro-Kremlin narratives, particularly during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Prigozhin’s operations span both military and digital warfare, playing a significant role in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy.
• Notable Quote: Prigozhin’s operations are generally more covert, but his role in influencing global events through proxies and online campaigns is well-documented.

11. Sergei Markov

• Role: Political analyst and former Duma deputy.
• Notable for: Markov is a Russian political commentator and analyst who frequently appears on Russian state-run television and writes for pro-Kremlin media outlets. He is known for his ardent defense of Russian foreign policy and his critical views of the West. Markov often justifies Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Syria, and other regions, arguing that Russia is defending itself against Western imperialism and cultural decay.
• Notable Quote: “The West is trying to destroy Russia by any means necessary. We must stand firm and defend our sovereignty.”