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A Kremlin-backed legal aid foundation has been operating inside Ukraine, according to leaked emails that describe efforts to compile reports for Russian authorities on alleged “war crimes” by Ukraine’s military, and to advise men on how to avoid getting drafted.
The information was found among tens of thousands of leaked emails and documents obtained by Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR, which shared them with OCCRP and media partners, including the Ukrainian investigative project Schemes.
The leaked emails show Russia’s Foreign Ministry allocated funding to the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad, or “Pravfond,” according to a report by Schemes, which is a project of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian service.
The findings align with OCCRP’s Dear Compatriots project, which was based on an earlier leak of Pravfond emails and reveal an influence machine seeking to mobilize Russians abroad for Moscow’s goals.
Under the banner of “legal aid,” Pravfond has for years advanced the Kremlin’s agenda worldwide — funding the legal defense of alleged spies and criminals, backing propaganda outlets, and working hand-in-glove with intelligence operatives.
The new trove of internal emails reveals a network of Ukrainian lawyers allegedly working with Pravfond, mainly via an intermediary, Schemes reported.
Some of them worked at a so-called “Legal Consulting Center” in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, that was allegedly backed by Pravfond. He allegedly prepared reports for Russian authorities on alleged “war crimes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine” and “violations of the rights of Russian-speaking people,” citing these lawyers.
Schemes spoke to the lawyers, and they denied receiving funds from Russia or cooperating with Pravfond, despite being named in grant applications found in the leaked communications.
A separate report attached to a leaked email listed the work of “legal support” websites that frequently focus on questions regarding “border exit” and “draft deferral."
The reports were part of a project labelled by Pravfond as “Ukrainian Direction,” which was supervised from Moscow, according to a report the foundation prepared for the Russian ministry.
One of the people overseeing the project was a Ukrainian citizen named Yevhen Baklanov whose whereabouts are now unknown. He has been wanted by Ukrainian law enforcement since 2022, and is on trial in absentia for treason, Schemes reported. Case files allege that he headed an organization that was “used to legally cover up intelligence and recruitment work among pro-Russian citizens of Ukraine.”
A 2025 funding request, found in the leaked Pravfond emails and signed by Baklanov, sought over 3 million rubles ($37,200 USD) for “legal aid to compatriots in Ukraine.” Lawyers were slated to receive 720,000 rubles each (roughly $8,800) for preparing reports for Russia’s parliament and Foreign Ministry about rights abuses against people living in Ukraine. The money was also allocated to public consultations with Russian-speakers in Ukraine, and for handling legal matters.
Bank records obtained by Schemes show Baklanov received three tranches this year totaling nearly 5 million rubles ($53,900), and 7.5 million rubles ($80,900) in 2024.
While the European Union has sanctioned Pravfond, Ukraine’s own sanctions on the foundation lapsed after three years and were not renewed last year.
The Security Service of Ukraine told Schemes it was “taking measures regarding the information provided in your request,” referring to the alleged network of lawyers in Ukraine allegedly supported by Pravfond.
A contract found in the new leak indicates that Pravfond is funded through Russia’s Foreign Ministry, although the leak contains no definite proof the money was delivered. The foundation was allocated to receive 180 million rubles for 2025 and 182 million for 2026 — about $2.2 million per year.
