The person at the center of this case
United States Federal Government and Electoral System
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
VADIM VLADIMIROVICH PODKOPAEV
Justice for United States Federal Government and Electoral System — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What is Podkopaev's current location and how has he evaded capture since the 2018 warrant?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific social media accounts and content did Podkopaev create, and how many Americans were exposed to his influence operations?
👤
person
Lead #3Who were Podkopaev's supervisors and collaborators at the Internet Research Agency, and have they been identified or prosecuted?
Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev, a Russian analyst for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to defraud the United States by interfering with federal agencies and the 2016 Presidential Election through coordinated social media operations. From June 2014 to February 2018, Podkopaev conducted US-focused research and created content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter designed to manipulate American voters and undermine U.S. political processes. A federal arrest warrant was issued on February 16, 2018, and he remains at large with ties to Russia and Ukraine.
Case
#1031
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States District Court for the 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.
💡
clue
Lead #4What connections exist between Podkopaev's activities and other known Russian interference operations targeting U.S. elections?
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 Defraud the United States Caution: Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful functions of the Federal Election Commission, the United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of State. This occurred in Washington, D.C., from June of 2014 to February 16, 2018.
Podkopaev served as an analyst while working for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency’s (IRA) US-focused contingent which allegedly conducted social media operations on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Podkopaev performed US-focused research and drafted social media content in support of the IRA’s alleged efforts to reach significant numbers of Americans for the purposes of interfering with the United States political system, including the 2016 Presidential Election. On February 16, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Remarks: Podkopaev speaks Russian, English, and French. He has ties to Russia and Ukraine.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2014-06-01
IRA Social Media Operations Begin
Vadim Podkopaev begins work as an analyst for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency's US-focused contingent, conducting research and drafting social media content.
⏰
2016-11-08
2016 U.S. Presidential Election
The election that Podkopaev's alleged social media operations were designed to influence.
🕵️
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2014
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2014
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case