The Aussie Cossack, Simeon Boikov - Australian Activist or Russian Intelligence Asset?

Simeon Boikov’s mentor Father Tikhon Shevkunov and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Sretensky Monastery, which is close by the headquarters of the KGB in central Moscow, is reported to have close ties to the KGB’s successors, the FSB and the SVR (Russia’s Secretive Intelligence Services). Father Shevkunov, Boikov’s mentor, is sometimes called “Putin’s spiritual adviser.” Simeon Boikov regularly features on state run Russian T.V News programs. “Australian laws are very, very relaxed. I could never imagine doing this in other countries…Australia is a very good place if you want to promote a foreign agenda.”, says Simeon Boikov.

The self-described defenders of Russia are determined to shut down anti-Putin sentiment in Australia as part of a propaganda war to remind the world that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is a force to the reckoned with. “Putin sees such organisations as a significant asset in pursuing his particular goals…Russia makes no bones about it.”, says Retired Australian diplomat and intelligence analyst.

When Simeon Boikov (Aussie Cossack) was featured in the Russian digital journal Vzglyad under the headline “Cossacks in Australia Speak of Supporting Russia in a ‘Hostile’ Country” Simeon said the following: “I consider myself a proponent of a strong Russian state. We’ll always support the policies of the [Russian] state, we respect very much our Commander-in-Chief, Putin. And we have a unique capacity to support Russia from within a hostile state. Even the FSB or a battalion of the Russian SAS can’t achieve that, because unlike them we are citizens of this state.”

That’s right, the man who goes by the moniker ‘The Aussie Cossack” considers Australia to be a “hostile state”. This is what the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has to say about foreign interference in relation to Russia from both a historical and present day context.

ASIO, Thoughts?

In the past, ASIO’s claimed its work was focused on countering the threat of espionage and foreign interference directed against Australia by the Soviet Union and its allies. These foreign intelligence services were tasked with clandestinely cultivating and recruiting Australians in all walks of life to:

• help the Soviet Union obtain classified information about Australia’s military capabilities, economy, government policy deliberations, technology, and trade negotiations
• exert influence on governments to develop policies or make decisions that were sympathetic to the Soviet Union
• operate ‘front organisations’ intended to influence public debate, business decisions, and governments to support Soviet policies or undermine United States and Western policies
• monitor and intervene in the activities of dissidents in the expatriate communities of Communist bloc states.

Today, ASIO says a large group of foreign spies were kicked out of the country last year.

“In the last 12 months a significant number of foreign spies and their proxies have either been removed from Australia or rendered inoperative, I’m talking about a number in double figures.”

Executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Peter Jennings, believes it’s likely the spies came from Russia. “I think there is a very high degree of certainty Mike Burgess is talking about Russia in this case, Probably Russia and China are the two biggest problems for ASIO right now, in terms of human espionage.”

Because of Simeon Boikov’s heritage however (he’s Australian born) it adds further complexities to an already sensitive situation. Simeon Boikov is the leader of the Australian Cossack Society and is one of most influential Russian Australian “Diaspora” in the Country.

He has ties with the Russian Consul General Sergey Shipilov as well as the Russian Embassy and its Ambassador. On recent talk-back radio programs he can be heard attempting to sway public opinion and put pressure on Australia in regards to the import of the Russian vaccine “Sputnik.” In the recording he states that he’s been speaking to the Russian Ambassador about the topic and that they’re willing to broker a deal with the Australian Government. One might begin to wonder if ‘The Aussie Cossack’ is on the Russian embassy payroll himself.

In 2018, Mr Boikov was referring to Australia when he told a Russian media outlet that “we have a unique opportunity to support Russia from within an enemy state”. He said Cossacks in Australia could “pursue a pro-Russian position, lobby politicians and members of parliament, oppose anyone who lies about Russia, attacks Russia or imposes sanctions. Basically, they can wage an information war.” The Cossacks are well known for their suppression of protests in Russia and were one of the key pro-Russian groups fighting against Ukrainian forces in Crimea in 2014.

Boikov Promoting Russian Oligarchs

Simeon Boikov ran a monthly Russian Australian Newspaper named “Russkij Rubezh” (The Russian Frontier) which according to various sources appears to be funded by an individual named Konstantin Malofeev, a figure conspicuous known in Russia as “the Orthodox oligarch”. Malofeev is best known for the role he played in the insurgency in eastern Ukraine. In April 2014, Igor Girkin Strelkov, the former head of security for one of Malofeev’s “private equity” firms, Marshall Capital Partners Ltd, crossed from Russia into Ukraine with about fifty fighters to lead the first armed assault on a Ukrainian-government entity.

Igor Girkin Strelkov ‘formerly’ served as a Colonel in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and retired with the rank of colonel.

“Marshal Capital” foundation is owned by Konstantin Malofeev, a devout Russian Orthodox businessman who is suspected of financing the Donetsk and Luhansk separatist republics. Malofeev is also believed to be funding Simeon Boikov’s propaganda arm “The Russian Frontier”

Just eight months after the MH17 tragedy, which killed 38 Australians. Mr Boikov travelled to Moscow to visit one of the pro-Russian separatists accused of responsibility for the downing of MH17, this person happened to be Igor Girkin.

It was later revealed that Girkin served with the FSB from 1998 to 2005 and has since been identified by the European Union as an officer of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, or GRU

In an address to his ‘troops’, Strelkov referred to the ‘rebels’ as an “Orthodox Army” and labeled his enemies “haters of Christians”.Igor Girkin (Strelkov) is currently being tried in the Netherlands, in absentia, on murder charges related to the atrocity.

“Igor Strelkov is a hero of Novorossia” The ‘Aussie’ Cossack told Four Corners. Simeon Boikov was under ASIO watch after flying to the Ukraine in order to join the rebels. About his time in Ukraine he stated “I have fired machine guns, RPGs and even in tanks but I have never broken the laws of Australia.” Despite the fact he put a ‘call out’ for others to join him in the fighting overseas.

Simeon Boikov in Ukraine

What’s Simeons Boikov’s personal connections with the Russian intelligence services FSB and the SVR? Did he also study with them during his time spent at the monastery with Putins advisor? The location happens to be next to the ‘former’ KGB headquarters in Moscow.

Malofeev, who appears to be behind the funding of Simeon Boikov’s newspaper has never hidden the fact he was financing groups in Crimea and Donbass. However, he has always maintained his involvement was purely humanitarian.

Simeon Boikov would not confirm whether he had been in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, but insisted it was irrelevant as he is ‘not breaking the laws of Australia by going overseas to help people.’ The separatists he claims to have flown overseas to assist have been blamed for the downing of fatal Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 which was shot down over eastern Ukraine almost two weeks ago.

Ukraine intelligence are said to have intercepted a phone call just days after the tragedy and heard the firing attributed to ‘those Cossacks who are based in Chernukhino.’ They have also been fighting in the areas surrounding the crash site making it impossible for any further investigation or retrieval of the victims’ bodies to go ahead. Father Alexander Paramonov, a Russian Orthodox Priest and Boikov’s closest friend said he believed Boikov had been in Donetsk with a two-star Russian general.

The Australian based Russian newspaper Simeon Boikov used to operate suggests the Aussie Cossack sees Russia’s frontier as running through Australia, which recalls the saying that ‘only a border with Russian soldiers on both sides of it is genuinely secure.’ The notion is also consistent with the Cossacks’ traditional role of protecting Russia’s borders.

Russkij Rubezh ceased publication without explanation in June 2017. Three years on, in mid May 2020, and after a visit to Moscow by Boikov. The paper reappeared with a print run of 5000, a supplement in English and much wider circulation to all state capitals.

The paper is said to be a propaganda / influence operation in an attempt to further Russia’s interests within the Russian community in Australia.“We remind all our compatriots in Australia who are enemies of Russia that our newspaper is back on the battle line” said the May editorial. “Take responsibility for your words and actions lest you find yourselves exposed as the subjects of our publications.” Simeon Boikov always runs a Russian website called aukazak.com.

By mid-2014 a clear pattern had emerged: the Kremlin used Malofeev (the person who is believed to have funded Simeon Boikov’s Newspaper in Australia) as the initiator and proxy funder of active and covert measures — including both military operations and propaganda campaigns in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world. Providing deniability to Russia in case an operation failed.

Malofeev is believed to have direct links to President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Malofeev founded the Vulturul Society with The Two-Headed Eagle Society and the Targrad Platform, favoured by ‘far-right’ ideologists & suspected intelligence operatives such as Alex Jones (Info Wars) and Alexander Dughin.

The Carnegie Council presents him as a player being in direct contact with the Kremlin, while Le Figaro writes about him as “playing the role of the bridge between the power-brokers in Russia and right-wing movements in Europe. “

Malofeev and his employees share responsibility for the deaths of thirty-eight Australians and 260 other passengers and crew on Flight MH17 in July 2014. Since 2014, he has been sanctioned by the European Union “for the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine.” Malofeev also claims to be the founder of the Society of the Double-headed Eagle for the Propagation of Russian Historical Enlightenment its declared goal is to “enlighten all compatriots” by inculcating the correct view of history in the minds of all inhabitants of the Russian World.

According to Russian journalists who have investigated Konstantin Malofeev’s activities and links, he is close to Putin confidante Archimandrite Shevkunov, the “Father Tikhon” also identified by Simeon Boikov as his primary mentor.

Ostensibly serving under Malofeev in the Double-headed Eagle society is Leonid Reshetnikov, a lieutenant-general in the SVR. Reshetnikov’s official biography, reprinted by Simeon Boikov’s Russkij Rubezh, has him “working in espionage abroad from 1976 to 2009.”

From 2009 till 2017 he was director of the Centre for Analytical Research, a secretive unit in the Russian presidential administration. Officially, General Reshetnikov has retired from active service, but, as Putin famously said, there is no such thing as a former KGB officer. (On retirement, FSB and SVR officers are considered to be members of a “reserve” from which they can be recalled to active service at any time.)

In Moscow, the Double-headed Eagle society is registered at an address shared with the Centre for Analytical Research. It seems most unlikely that a lieutenant-general of the SVR would take his orders from private citizen Malofeev. To conduct the society’s campaign to ensure that all Russians in Australia, and their children, hold the correct views and beliefs, Reshetnikov has appointed Valery Malinovsky, a “young [Russian] entrepreneur going places” as its Australian chief representative, with Simeon Boikov as his deputy. A letter of their appointment, published in Russkij Rubezh, charges them with “preserving the cultural identity and a correct historical memory of our compatriots.”

Simeon Boikov is also the joint founder of the Double headed eagle society in Australia formed in early 2020.It first originated in Moscow at the first congress of the “Double-Headed Eagle” society that Malofeev heads.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Russia has withdrawn a member of its diplomatic corps in Sofia after the Bulgarian State Prosecution announced earlier that day that it was investigating him or her for spying on behalf of The Double-Headed Eagle Society.

Bulgaria’s Attorney General, Sotir Tatarov, spoke about a broad scheme, involving individuals close to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and Russian espionage bodies, structures, and projects to influence local politics in Moscow’s favour.

Specifically, Malinov is accused of having acted for two Russian organisations and their representatives, namely The Two-Headed Eagle Society, belonging to the oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, and the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (IRSS), led until 2017 by former spy Leonid Resetnikov. According to Tatarov, the former Bulgarian deputy used this NGO to receive funds from Russia.

Evidence strongly suggests Malofeev’s and Boikov’s growing involvement in Russian and Australian domestic affairs seek to serve the Putin regime and long term agenda. One of their goals is to win influence and as much control as possible of the far-nationalist agenda to suit Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.

The Australian Cossack society which Boikov is the head of is said to have around 150 members, and its headquarters are at the Russian Sports and Social Club at Kemps Creek, in Sydney’s west. The Zaibakal Cossack Society of Australia is recognised by the Trans-Baikal Cossack Army in Siberia.

Although the group is registered as “historical-cultural association,” its members appear to be militarised: they wear uniforms with epaulets and badges of rank, and carry out Cossack military drills.

Simeon Boikov has close connections with the Nationalist group The Golden Dawn Society and The Australia First Party ran by one of Australia’s most prominent white supremacists Jim Saleam. Simeon Boikov and Jim Saleam have a close relationship going back years, recent sighting include an anti-lockdown protest they held together earlier this year.

The Australian Cossack Society is said to promote Orthodox Christian fundamentalism, “traditional values”, Islamophobia, and homophobia. Simeon has a close alliance with the Australia First Party (AFP) and the Greek Neo-Nazi group, Golden Dawn. The Australia First Party were one of the instigators of the December 2005 riot at Cronulla Beach. They have been known to instigate racist violence against Asians, Muslims, Blacks and the Gay community.

Golden Dawn is, meanwhile, known overseas for murdering refugees as well as other non-white migrants and activists in Greece. Just a month after the Hands Off Syria rally infiltrated by both AFP and The Cossack Society, Simeon Boikov and AFP leader Jim Saleam were special guests at the national conference of the Australian chapter of Golden Dawn. In 2016, Simeon Boikov attended the Australia First annual conference and was pictured with Kim Vuga – the leader of the islamaphobic, anti-immigration nationalist political party “Love Australia or Leave” and featured in the 2015 documentary “go back to where you came from”.

Simeon Boikov mentions that while he/they cannot go into battle with sabres, Russian long rifles and Maxim machine guns, as their grandfathers did, they can prosecute another form of war — an information war. Russia has at least 30 Cossack military schools, and some regional authorities have handed limited policing duties over to local Cossack militias, which is why Cossacks, in traditional uniform, can be seen patrolling the streets of Moscow.

The Russian Army has also had a Cossack division since 2005, and Cossack units have turned up – uninvited – to several post-Soviet conflicts on Russia’s southern borders.Simeon Boikov: “In the ’90s Russia adopted, and had forced upon it, some of the worst aspects of western culture and morality. I’m proud that Russia is again becoming a great superpower and is reviving its traditional values.”

Mr Boikov and his fellow Cossacks have also tried to silence the local Ukrainian community, taunting parishioners and their priest outside a Ukrainian church in Sydney over the Russian military incursion into Ukraine as well as the G20 protest in Brisbane attended by Putin, a protest in Sydney for a Ukrainian activist and infiltrating Pro-Syrian rallies.

When protesters marched in central Sydney over the jailing of Russia’s main opposition leader Alexey Navalny, Mr Boikov led a counter-protest. At another protest in Martin Place, Boikov implies that a Ukrainian activist is a prostitute out of work and calls them “scum”.

Associations With International MCs

Also frequently present with Boikov at protests and functions is Vladimir Simonian, the president of the Night Wolves Australia motorcycle club. For the past 7 years with the help of Simeon Boikov they have been establishing a presence in Australia. The Russian arm of the club has been described as a “proxy” for the Kremlin: willing to carry out or support military operations at arms-length from the Russian government.

Australian Night Wolves MC President Vladimir Simonian pictured with International Night Wolves leader Alexander Zaldostanov.



One publication says the following about the MC Club “Kremlin-backed bikie gang with ties to the intelligence services and a hatred for western democracy is actively recruiting in Australia after quietly setting up clubs across the eastern states”. The Russian Night Wolves club president Alexander Zaldostanov is a celebrity in Russia due to his friendship with Vladimir Putin. Mr Zaldostanov is known as “The Surgeon” due to his medical training.

As a result of their involvement in the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, which included fighting with and supporting pro-Russian separatists, the United States Treasury has placed financial sanctions on the Russian Night Wolves and Mr Zaldostanov.

Not one to wear leathers, Simeon has also appeared at functions with state MPs and influential power-brokers. During one function a flag representing New Russia – the name given by separatists to the region in east Ukraine was raised and Mr Boikov gave a speech calling for a swift victory in Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists.

During the Crimea guns ‘stunt’ he was a regular fixture on various talkback radio programs in an attempt to build support for the return of a number of ‘antique’ cannons formerly used by Crimea and gifted to Australia from the commonwealth back in the 1850’s (two of them can be found in centennial park, Sydney.)

On at least one occasion he boasted about his personal discovery of a 100 plus year old declassified document signed by a former Australian prime minister validating his argument.He also featured on multiple talkback radio programs pressuring the Australian government to purchase the Russian vaccine named “Sputnik”.

Individuals like Konstantin Malofeev & Simeon Boikov who have deep pockets and whom the Kremlin can, seemingly, count on to finance artificial militant rebellions abroad—pose a specific threat to Western policies and should not be ignored.

Controlled Operatives

In recent times, Simeon Boikov has gained a large following under the moniker “The Aussie Cossack” as a self proclaimed activist campaigning against Australia’s lockdown measures & police brutality. When in reality the Cossacks own brutal involvement in the crackdown of anti-Russian protests has been well documented.

Simeon Boikov featured here with Alex Jones and Monica Smit on a recent Alex Jones / InfoWars Show. Alex Jones & Monica Smit are suspected of being CIA/ Mossad intelligence asset & Liberal funded insider respectively.

There now seems to be little doubt that Simeon Boikov aka The Aussie Cossack is a Russian Intelligence Operative engaged in a number of areas, including information warfare, influence operations and reporting back to the Kremlin.

Why has he been allowed to continue for so long without being held to account is a greater question worth asking, despite the fact over a dozen (Russian) intelligence operatives were kicked out the country just last year.

Has ‘The Aussie Cossack’ been permitted to influence the Australian public during this covid era where people who speak out against the government narrative are increasingly deemed a ‘national security threat.’

Could this conceivably be an attempt at controlling the narrative perhaps?

Article by Brandon McKenna