The person at the center of this case
United States (national security interests and recruited citizens)
Cold Case · Open
3 years waiting · since 2023
NATALIA BURLINOVA
Justice for United States (national security interests and recruited citizens) — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1How did Burlinova establish and maintain her cover as a legitimate cultural exchange organization (PICREADI)?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific information about U.S. citizens was provided to the FSB, and how was it used?
👁️
witness
Lead #3How many U.S. citizens were successfully recruited, and are they cooperating with investigators?
Natalia Burlinova is wanted by the FBI for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), recruiting U.S. citizens to participate in a program called Meeting Russia while providing the FSB with sensitive personal and analytical information about recruits. In fall 2018, she conducted recruitment visits to U.S. universities and research institutions, documenting her meetings with photographs for FSB handlers. A federal arrest warrant was issued on April 17, 2023, but Burlinova remains at large, believed to be in Moscow, Russia.
Case
#1096
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4Who was the FSB officer collaborating with Burlinova, and what was the extent of their operational relationship?
💡
clue
Lead #5What funding mechanisms and support did the FSB provide, and can financial records trace the conspiracy?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States; Agent of a Foreign Government Caution: Natalia Burlinova is wanted for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, Russia, within the United States. Burlinova allegedly conspired with an officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to recruit United States citizens to travel to Moscow to participate in a program called Meeting Russia run by the organization that she led, Public Initiative Creative Diplomacy (PICREADI).
The FSB officer allegedly provided Burlinova with funding and other support for her recruitment efforts. In return, Burlinova provided the FSB officer with information about recruited United States citizens, including their resumes, passport information, photographs, and analyses of their views toward Russia.
Burlinova further identified for further collaboration particular United States citizens who had expressed positive attitudes towards Russia. During a recruitment trip to the United States in the Fall of 2018, Burlinova met with United States citizens at various United States universities and research institutions and provided the FSB officer with photographs of her meetings.
On April 17, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Burlinova in the United States District Court, District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., after she was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States and Agent of a Foreign Government. Remarks: Burlinova was last known to be in Moscow, Russia.
Timeline of Events
📞
2018-10-01
Recruitment visits to U.S. institutions
Burlinova conducted recruitment trips to United States universities and research institutions, meeting with U.S. citizens and documenting meetings with photographs for FSB handlers.
🕵️
2023-04-17
Federal arrest warrant issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, charging Burlinova with Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States and Agent of a Foreign Government.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2018
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2018
Last Updated:April 29, 2026