Nomma Zarubina, has been arrested in New York on charges of working for Russian intelligence. (Source: Independent, Slavicsac.)
According to the FBI, during a trip to Russia in December 2020, she signed an agreement with the FSB, pledging to assist the agency in establishing and developing contacts in the U.S. and other countries among journalists and think-tank employees. She was assigned the codename “Alissa” and deliberately concealed her connections with an FSB officer while carrying out tasks aimed at advancing Russian interests.
Upon returning to the U.S., Zarubina attended seminars, forums, and conventions to fulfill her assignments from the FSB. Notably, she participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2021 to recruit journalists willing to publish positive material about Russia. She also organized annual youth forums to promote Russian interests in the U.S.
In July 2024, during an FBI interrogation, Zarubina denied her contacts with Russian intelligence, even though she maintained communication with an FSB officer from Tomsk and had signed a formal cooperation agreement. She showed FBI agents a photo of this officer, stating that his job involved interrogating Russian citizens living and working in the U.S. after their return to Russia. Zarubina admitted her ties to the FSB only after several interrogations, fearing potential repercussions.
U.S. authorities claim that her tasks included identifying and analyzing individuals who could be targeted for Russian influence. She used encrypted applications to transmit data and built connections with American journalists, academics, and government officials.
Zarubina immigrated to the U.S. in 2016. She collaborated with Russian organizations in New York, including the Russian Center, and represented the Russian NGO “Sail of Hope” at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. In 2022, she studied at Baruch College in New York, and in 2023, she attended courses at Harvard Extension School.
Zarubina worked closely with Elena Branson, the head of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots in the U.S. (KSORS), who was previously accused of engaging in illegal activities on behalf of Russian intelligence. Branson left the U.S. after a search of her New York apartment and is believed to currently reside in Russia.
Zarubina has been released on $25,000 bail with travel restrictions limiting her to New York and a prohibition on contacting Russian officials. She faces up to five years in prison if convicted of providing false statements to law enforcement.
Notably, Zarubina had previously expressed support for Kremlin policies on social media, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
