Putin Fires Primakov as Head of ‘Russian Houses’

Moscow changed the agency chief as its Russian Houses face growing scrutiny after mass expulsions of Russian diplomats. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A Russian national tricolor flag flies in the wind next to a ruby star atop one of the Kremlin's towers in central Moscow on May 23, 2023. The Kremlin said on May 23, 2023 that Moscow needed to concentrate its military efforts to avoid another Ukrainian incursion into Russia and voiced "deep concern" over recent skirmishes in the Belgorod region. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday dismissed Yevgeny Primakov as head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Russia’s state cultural diplomacy agency, and replaced him with Igor Chaika, the son of Russia’s former prosecutor general. Rossotrudnichestvo operates under Russia’s Foreign Ministry and is one of Moscow’s main tools for promoting “soft power” and influence abroad. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The agency oversees a global network of cultural centers known as “Russian Houses,” as well as programs aimed at Russian-speaking communities and Kremlin-aligned compatriots abroad. Primakov, the grandson of former Russian prime minister and ex-foreign intelligence chief Yevgeny Primakov, had led the agency since June 2020. Since the mass expulsion of Russian spies and diplomats from embassies in 2022, Russian Houses have faced growing scrutiny over allegations that they serve as platforms for Russian intelligence and influence operations. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the centers have also become more aggressive in promoting the Kremlin’s wartime narratives abroad. Several countries have moved against them. Azerbaijan ordered the Russian House in Baku to suspend operations in 2025 after local reports accused it of acting as a hub for intelligence activity, while Moldova’s parliament later voted to close the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Chișinău, citing concerns over Russian influence and national security. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Says Russian-Linked Network Planned Killings and Sabotage Across EU Prosecutors said an international operation disrupted a network preparing assassinations, arson, and infrastructure attacks in multiple European countries. To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter Contact Us Please leave your suggestions or corrections here Cancel Send Kyiv Post Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.