Source TDTOP report While the notorious Wagner mercenaries from Russia remain actively engaged in combat in the war-torn eastern town of Bakhmut, an associate closely associated with Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been focused on a different kind of battle—shaping the opinions and sentiments of the people residing in the occupied regions beyond the front lines.
Alexander Malkevich, who has ties to Prigozhin, has played a role in establishing pro-Russian television stations in strategically important areas that have been seized since the large-scale invasion began in February 2022. Notably, Malkevich has been involved in various projects aimed at spreading Russian influence across continents, including Africa and the United States. Consequently, he has faced sanctions imposed by Western countries for his involvement in disseminating disinformation.
Although officially responsible for managing state-funded television in Prigozhin’s hometown of St. Petersburg, Malkevich relocated to the previously occupied parts of Ukraine during the summer of 2022, establishing the southern city of Kherson as his operational base. His primary objective has been to establish pro-Russian TV stations in the regions that have been captured since the initiation of the large-scale invasion. Among his notable achievements are Tavria TV in Kherson, Za TV in Melitopol, and Mariupol 24 in the eastern Donetsk region.