Faces of russian propaganda in the TOT: artem olkhin
The Center for Countering Disinformation continues its series on the main perpetrators of russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Today, we introduce artem olkhin, a teacher from Donetsk and a “dpr official” who has cooperated with the occupation authorities since 2014.
olkhin expressed pro-russian views well before russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He served as the coordinator of the Union of Ukrainian Citizens, a Donetsk-based NGO that promoted Ukraine’s integration into the russian-led Customs Union, and is listed as a founder of the Russian Union of Donbas, an NGO established in 2010.
Following the occupation of Donetsk, olkhin became active in supporting russian interests. In the so-called “donetsk people’s republic,” he held the position of “deputy minister of information,” overseeing local media efforts to promote the “russian world” narrative and disseminate anti-Ukrainian fakes. Today, he continues to support local propaganda media in Donetsk and frequently appears on russian propagandist broadcasts.
olkhin also involved in brainwashing youth in occupied Donetsk with russian propaganda. He teaches “the history of novorossia” at the russian-controlled Donetsk State University, where he presents a russian-influenced version of Donetsk’s history to students.
In 2021, the SBU notified olkhin of suspicion on charges related to undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine, for which he faces up to 10 years in prison.
