The person at the center of this case
United States Federal Government / Electoral System
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
VADIM VLADIMIROVICH PODKOPAEV
Justice for United States Federal Government / Electoral System — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Podkopaev currently located, and is he still operating from Russia or Ukraine?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific social media accounts and content did Podkopaev create, and how many Americans were directly exposed to his influence operations?
📞
contact
Lead #3Did Podkopaev have direct communications with other IRA operatives or foreign government officials that could establish broader conspiracy connections?
Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev, a Russian analyst for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, is wanted by the FBI for his alleged role in 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 allegedly conducted research and created social media content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter designed to reach and influence American voters. A federal arrest warrant was issued on February 16, 2018, and Podkopaev remains at large with ties to Russia and Ukraine; the FBI is offering up to $75,000 for information leading to his arrest.
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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 linguistic patterns or metadata in his social media content could help identify unreported accounts or ongoing operations?
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 allegedly began conducting US-focused research and drafting social media content for the Internet Research Agency's operations targeting American audiences.
⏰
2016-11-08
2016 U.S. Presidential Election
The alleged IRA social media interference campaign targeted this election, with Podkopaev's content designed to influence American voters.
👤
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:October 30, 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:October 30, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case