According to the U.S. government, some of the left-wing groups are being funded by Russian influence operations to "sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere in elections within the United States."

On July 29, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the indictment of a Russian national for working on behalf of the Russian government to sow discord in the United States.

"From at least December 2014 until March 2022, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, together with at least three Russian officials, engaged in a years-long foreign malign influence campaign targeting the United States" the indictment alleged.

A DOJ press release stated, "Ionov—working under the supervision of the FSB [Russia's Federal Security Services] and with the Russian government's support—recruited political groups within the United States, including U.S. Political Group 1 in Florida, U.S. Political Group 2 in Georgia, and U.S. Political Group 3 in California, and exercised direction or control over them on behalf of the FSB."

Russia Supports Left-wing Groups

Ionov's activities were not in support of right-wing groups, the operation was allegedly funding left-wing groups that promoted socialism, defunding police, and California secession, according to multiple reports.