SHUGALEI Maksim Anatolievich

He is one of the key figures in the russian propaganda system with a special focus on the African continent and the Middle East and one of the important instruments of the russian federation's external influence, combining participation in international missions, media operations and domestic political processes. Within the framework of its activities, it is closely connected with the Foundation for the Protection of National Values (FPNV), which it has been heading since 2021, as well as with structures that were under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin, in particular the so-called Wagner Group. Acting as a public mouthpiece for the foreign policy information operations of the aggressor state, Shuhaley positions himself as a "sociologist" and "expert on international relations," which allows him to disguise propaganda activities as pseudo-analytical work.
He is actively involved in the information support of russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. In his Telegram channel with an audience of over 18 thousand subscribers, he systematically disseminates propaganda materials in support of the so-called "special military operation," promotes anti-Western narratives and emphasizes his presence in combat zones. Such actions are aimed at legitimizing the foreign policy of the aggressor state and creating the image of a "field expert".
In 2019, Shugaley was detained in Libya on suspicion of election interference and espionage. After 18 months of detention, Shugaley was released and reportedly received a monetary compensation from Prigozhin in the amount of 18 million rubles. His return to russia was accompanied by a large-scale information campaign, including the creation of the films "Shugaley", "Shugaley-2" and "Shugaley-3", which shaped the image of a "hero" and at the same time strengthened the public image of the Wagner Group.
In 2024, Shugaley was detained in Chad, where he was part of the so-called "russian House", which is actually a cover for influence operations. He was again charged with election interference and espionage. After a short period of detention, he was released and returned to Moscow.
He has close ties to the founder of the FPNV, Alexander Malkevich. It was Malkevich who supervised Shugaley's activities in Libya, organized the campaign for his release, and initiated the creation of films about Shugaley. After Shugaley's return from captivity, Malkevich facilitated his political integration, including his nomination to the State Council of the Komi Republic and his participation in the elections in St. Petersburg. Both defendants are public faces of russia's soft power and coordinate their activities within the state system of information influence. Cooperation with Malkevich indicates the existence of a centralized system of information expansion that serves the strategic interests of the aggressor state.