A suspected military employee of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU); leader of the so-called ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’. Stepped down from role in Donetsk in August 2014. Returned to Russia and is believed to be in several left-wing "patriotic" organisations including Head of ‘Novorossia’ public movement. Former ‘Minister of Defence’ of the so-called ‘Donetsk People's Republic’. Remains active in supporting separatist activity in eastern Ukraine. One of the organisers of the ‘Russian March’ in November 2016