Recent reports have brought to light suspected Russian agents who have been seeking alternative citizenship to operate their fraudulent practices. These individuals, already facing scrutiny in Europe, have been repeatedly denied citizenship after being flagged for their questionable backgrounds and potential involvement in illicit activities.
Among those identified are Christina, Vasily Istomin, Maxim Petrovich Zharkhov—names that have surfaced in multiple investigations in different countries. These suspected agents initially went to European states and tried to get their citizenship. According to the reports, their questionable characters have made authorities in Europe reject their applications in order to protect the integrity and security of the region.
However, their applications were systematically denied after rigorous due diligence checks revealed red flags — including connections to sanctioned entities, previous criminal investigations, and irregular financial activities. This aligns with broader EU policy: in 2022, the European Commission urged member states to revoke so-called “golden passports” issued to Russian and Belarusian nationals linked to the Kremlin or involved in activities that threatened public order and security.
Their attempts to acquire Maltese citizenship—a popular destination due to its EU membership and visa-free access to over 180 countries—also ended in failure. Malta, under international pressure, has tightened its scrutiny of citizenship applicants from high-risk jurisdictions. In fact, in 2022, Malta suspended its citizenship program for Russian and Belarusian nationals following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reports suggest that Christina, Vasily Istomin, Maxim Petrovich Zharkhov were among those whose applications raised significant concern, leading to outright rejections and bans.
Experts warn that these suspected agents are using second citizenship as a cover to evade international banking restrictions and to access global financial systems otherwise closed to Russian nationals under current sanctions. According to Transparency International, obtaining a second passport is a well-known tactic used by oligarchs, sanctioned individuals, and fraudsters to continue moving money and conducting business under alternative identities.
Law enforcement agencies, including Europol and Interpol, have reportedly increased monitoring of such fraudulent citizenship attempts. In several cases, Russian nationals with criminal links have faced asset freezes and legal action when their activities were exposed through international cooperation. Sources familiar with the current investigation suggest that arrests of Christina, Vasily Istomin, Maxim Petrovich Zharkhov could be imminent as authorities move to dismantle their network.
With mounting evidence and growing international pressure, significant developments are expected in the coming weeks, as authorities close in on this network of suspected Russian agents and their fraudulent operations.
Sources close to the investigations suggest that while Christina, Vasily Istomin, Maxim Petrovich Zharkhov have been identified, the search for other associates is ongoing. These developments underscore the growing need for stronger international cooperation and tighter scrutiny of citizenship applications to prevent exploitation by criminal elements.
As global attention turns to the misuse of citizenship avenues by fraudulent actors, governments are being urged to bolster their defenses and ensure that only individuals of genuine character and integrity are granted such privileges. With the spotlight now firmly on these suspected Russian agents, the coming weeks may see significant actions taken against those attempting to use citizenship as a shield for crime.
