In January, 2025 Illiberalism Studies Program published the research of the Institute for Russia, European and Eurasian Studies of the George Washington University “Unmasking GONGOS as Agents of Illiberalism: A Case Study of the OSCE”, done by Professor Sebastien Peyrouse.
Dr. Peyrouse, Research Professor of International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs in George Washington University, did communicate, during preparation of that research with experts of our Association Dr. Borys Babin and Olesya Tsybulko on verifying data regarding Russia-controlled structures, that were noticed in last decade on OSCE events and, after that report was published, he thanked our Association for relevant cooperation.
Research stressed, that over the past two decades, Government-Organized Non-Governmental Organizations (GONGOs) have proliferated in autocratic regimes, posing significant threats to global democratic governance. These entities, disguised as independent civil society groups, can serve as extensions of state power, disseminating propaganda, undermining human rights institutions, and entrenching authoritarian control at both domestic and international levels.
Professor Peyrouse stated, that the OSCE has become a key target for GONGOs, particularly at its human dimension meetings, including the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, and the Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings.
He adds, that GONGOs utilize disinformation, whataboutism, and other manipulative tactics to amplify authoritarian narratives, dismiss criticism as illegitimate or Western interference, and discredit independent organizations and activists. Reflecting the illiberal agendas of regimes like Russia and China, GONGOs aim to reshape governance norms while stifling genuine civil society voices.
Research proved that the Kremlin has been known to utilize GONGOs to promote its geopolitical agenda and legitimize its actions on the international stage. Since Russia’s illegal attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, GONGOs have played a role in orchestrating a narrative of Russia’s alleged “historical ties” to and “cultural affinity” with Crimea, and framing the intervention as so-called “necessary step” to “rationale” for the Kremlin’s moves.
Professor Peyrouse gives examples of sad known Anastasia Gridchina, who represented such “organizations” at the OSCE, as a known proponent of Russian propaganda in Crimea with extensive connections with the Russian government, roles in propaganda agency since 2019, and member of the “Russian Community of Crimea”.
Research reminds that since 2022, Gridchina has been chairing the so-called “Council of the Regional National-Cultural Autonomy of Ukrainians of the Republic of Crimea”, using “historical references” to “justify” Russia’s claim to Crimea and depicting Ukraine as a “hostile foreign entity”.
Research also points also on activity of so-called “Regional Bulgarian National-Cultural Autonomy of the Republic of Crimea named after Paisii Hilendarsky” presented by Ivan Abasher as an GONGO instrument in this Kremlin’s approach for “justifying” the unlawful attempted annexation of Crimea. Professor Peyrouse stressed, that Abasher was a member of Russia-controlled “Civic Chamber of the Republic of Crimea” since 2014 and was “elected” to the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation some times.
Research added that Russia has showcased in OSCE several Kremlin-controlled “Crimean media” entities, such as the “Millet Crimean Tatar Television and Radio Broadcasting Company”, “Krymskaya Gazeta”, and the “Crimean News Agency”.
Professor Peyrouse stated that these “outlets, established post-2014 following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, have echoed the disinformation propagated by RT, Regnum, and Sputnik” and reminded that “Krymskaya Gazeta” was “founded” by occupier’s Crimea’s “Ministry of Internal Policy, Information, and Communications” and had been receiving millions of Russian government funds since 2015.
Research pointed that Maria Volkonskaya, the “director” of that “Krymskaya Gazeta”, “rationalized” in OSCE the attepmted annexation of Crimea and discredited opposition journalists she labeled as “terrorists” in 2019. Report added that “Millet” statements in OSCE “have exemplified how authoritarian regimes instrumentalize portrayals of such constitutional façades”, “contrast to the grave human rights violations, such as the suppression of freedom of expression and criminal charges for ill-defined offenses like “extremism” or spreading disinformation”, documented by the UN OHCHR, the OSCE offices and officials.
Research stressed, that Russia-controlled GONGOs such as mentioned “Bulgarian National-Cultural Autonomy” in 2018 and the “Luys Charitable Cultural and Educational Fund” in 2018-2019 disseminated fakes on ethnic issued, which “contrasted with the plethora of reports detailing the targeting and discrimination faced by various minority groups, particularly Crimean Tatars” and also “refuted” a plethora of reports’ disparagement of the so-called “referendum” held in Crimea.
Research summarised that many Russia-controlled GONGOs have been deployed to counter recurring criticisms regarding human rights abuses in Russian-occupied Crimea, where occupiers “have enforced measures to stifle anti-Russian or pro-Ukrainian narratives within the region, including online”.
Aiming to invalidate external reports highlighting severe restrictions on and violence against Ukrainian journalists, several GONGOs, including the “Bulgarian National-Cultural Autonomy” and “Public Organization in Ukraine” in 2019 disseminated fakes and “refuted” of land expropriations and other human rights and minority rights abuses reported by the UN Secretary-General.
In a similar vein, research adds, the “Regional Bulgarian National-Cultural Autonomy” equated in 2019 the attempted annexation of Crimea with Germany’s reunification and the Czechoslovak split, deliberately conflating military occupation with “political processes” also.
Additionally, research adds, after 2022 Russia-controlled GONGOs like Information Group on Crimes against the Person”, have stepped into the role of “defending” the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, amplifying its propaganda and “rebutting” criticisms from the West. Also, research pointed, the Russia-controlled “state TV and radio company Krym” claimed that the challenging situation in Crimea allegedly “stemmed from foreign influence assaults”.
Professor Peyrouse adds that those Kremlin-controlled GONGOs have vilified independent journalists and opposition figures, including those participating in the OSCE meetings, with pejoratives like “corrupt,” “criminals,” or “terrorists,” aiming, supposedly “in the name of civil society”, to “bolster” claims that Russia’s delegations “might otherwise find challenging to present credibly”.
Those GONGOs and Russia-controlled “media” have argued that “not all who disseminate information online should be deemed journalists”, advocating for a “!more stringent regulation of information-sharing” by, for example, requiring individuals who want to share opinions on social media “to be officially accredited as journalists”.
Our Association’s cooperation with such independent researchers, as Professor Peyrouse, highlighting the Russia’s GONGO usage in international organisations, will be continued.
