RT.com
05 Jun 2025, 17:20 GMT+10
The Oxford Russia Fund used professors to spread LGBT material and gather political intel, the Federal Security Service has said
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused the UK-based Oxford Russia Fund of conducting a covert influence campaign in Russian universities aimed at undermining national security. The organization had already been declared 'undesirable' by Moscow, a designation that prohibits its activities and implies involvement in hostile propaganda efforts.
The Oxford Russia Fund began operating in Russia in 2006 with the stated aim of supporting higher education in the humanities and social sciences. While it claimed to provide scholarships and academic resources, its work raised red flags for the authorities.
In 2021, the Prosecutor General's Office banned the organization, citing threats to national sovereignty. According to the FSB, it nonetheless continued to operate subversively, maintaining covert ties with university staff and facilitating the spread of foreign narratives.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the FSB said faculty members in the regions of Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, and Tomsk worked with the banned organization to distribute materials promoting "support for sexual minorities and LGBT values" - content considered incompatible with traditional Russian values. The NGO also allegedly collected sensitive data about the country's internal political and socioeconomic situation amid the Ukraine conflict.
Fifteen Russian nationals have received official warnings under criminal statutes related to collaboration with foreign entities deemed a threat to national security. One professor has already been fined for involvement with a banned group. The FSB and Prosecutor's Office also issued a formal warning to one of the universities involved.
The FSB claimed that British intelligence services have long targeted Russian academia as a channel for ideological influence. "They seek to raise a 'new generation' of Russian citizens in a manner beneficial to London," the statement said.
Over the past decade, Russia has introduced stricter laws to shield society from LGBT propaganda.
In 2013, LGBT content was banned for minors, and by 2022, the ban extended to all audiences. In 2023, the 'international LGBT movement' was designated as a terrorist organization.
In its statement, the FSB announced that the British Council, the UK's primary cultural outreach institution, has also been declared 'undesirable'. The authorities accuse the NGO of serving as a vehicle for British intelligence, using cultural programming as cover to destabilize sovereign states.
READ MORE: Russia bans British Council
The UK has taken an increasingly hostile posture toward Russia, imposing sweeping sanctions while continuing to provide military support to Ukraine, despite the ongoing peace talks mediated by the US.
Russia's ambassador in London, Andrey Kelin, recently denounced Britain's behavior as "belligerent and irresponsible," calling its support for Ukraine "senseless" and "reckless."
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Birmingham News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Birmingham News.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Spain's push to curb short-term tourist rentals is being outpaced by the market's explosive growth, new data shows —...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks were mixed Wednesday as investors and traders grappled with the ADP report, which revealed payrolls...
DEARBORN, Michigan: Ford is pulling back tens of thousands of its electric pickup trucks over a steering defect that could lead to...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Best Buy, the biggest electronics store chain in the U.S., has lowered its forecast for the year. The company...
ISSAQUAH, Washington: Costco is feeling the pinch from tariffs and soft consumer spending, missing Wall Street's revenue expectations...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday as the markets continues to ebb and flow on prouncements and moves by the...
LONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion...
The Oxford Russia Fund used professors to spread LGBT material and gather political intel, the Federal Security Service has said ...
The prosecutor general has designated the organization as undesirable for promoting the UKs interests under the guise of teaching English...
Brussels [Belgium], June 5 (ANI): An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met with Christel...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 5 (ANI): Marisa Abela and Harris Dickinson are joining the cast of the audiobook adaptation of Jane...
Washington DC [US], June 5 (ANI): After winning an Oscar for her performance in 'Anora', actress Mikey Madison is in talks to lead...