Russian Imperial Movement

The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) was founded in St. Petersburg in 2002 by Stanislav Vorobyev.{{Cite web |last=University |first=© Stanford |title=MMP: Russian Imperial Movement |url=https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=cisac.fsi.stanford.edu |language=en |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904102544/https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement |url-status=live }}

RIM's website has been found to be part of a broader cluster of websites for political groups in Russia that promote "political orthodoxy" and monarchy, drawing inspiration from the violent, antisemitic Black Hundreds of early 20th century Russia.{{cite book |author=Marlene Laruelle |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SjZyDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT190 |title=Russian Nationalism: Imaginaries, Doctrines, and Political Battlefields |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-429-76198-0 |page=190 |quote=The Imperial Legion, the paramilitary arm of the Russian Imperial Movement, calls, for instance, for “young Orthodox men” to commit themselves to defending Novorossiya.}} Other groups in this cluster include "For Faith and Fatherland" and the modern revival of the "Union of the Russian People". The movement does not recognize the existence of Ukraine.{{in lang|de}} {{cite web|date=24 May 2023|publisher=UAWire|title=NEONAZIS FÜR NOWOROSSIJA|url=https://www.belltower.news/ukraine-krieg-russische-rechtsextreme-im-kampf-gegen-kiew-136285/}} According to Global Engagement Center, RIM sees a global Zionist conspiracy to undermine Russia and restructure the world governments to benefit the Jews. RIM also engages in Holocaust denial, claiming the Jews murder Christian children and drink their blood and that the Jews conspire to bring about the coming of the Anti-Christ.{{cite web|title=More Than a Century of Antisemitism: How Successive Occupants of the Kremlin Have Used Antisemitism to Spread Disinformation and Propaganda|url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GEC-Special-Report-More-than-a-Century-of-Antisemitism.pdf|work=U.S. Department of State, Global Engagement Center|date=3 October 2024}}

In Russia RIM is politically affiliated with an alliance of orthodox nationalist groups called Russian National Front, consisting of Black Hundreds, Great Russia Party, People's Militia named after Minin and Pozharsky and Union of Orthodox Banner-Bearers. RIM's military arm is affiliated with a coalition of neo-Nazi military groups taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine made up of Atomwaffen Russland, Rusich and Russian ONA, with some overlap.{{cite web|url=https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/sextortion-coms-inside-a-vile-child-exploitation-cult-run-by-nazi-linked-teens/|title=Sextortion Coms: Inside a Vile Child Exploitation Cult Run by Nazi-Linked Teens|date=13 March 2024|work=Unicorn Riot}}{{cite web|url=https://odessa-journal.com/public/the-russian-federation-sends-a-neo-nazi-sabotage-group-to-spy-on-the-finnish-border|title=The Russian Federation sends a neo-Nazi sabotage group to spy on the Finnish border|work=The Odessa Journal|date=10 September 2024|quote=This group, made up of mercenaries with neo-Nazi and neo-pagan beliefs, is involved in serious war crimes that have sparked controversy even within Russia. Some members of the group are connected to satanic and neo-Nazi organizations such as the Order of Nine Angles.}}{{Cite thesis|url=https://www.hsaj.org/articles/22672|hdl=10945/72291|title=Vanguard of a White Empire: Rusich, the Russian Imperial Movement, and Russia's War of Terror|date=16 August 2024|publisher=Center for Homeland Defense and Security|author=White, Daniel J., Jr.|quote=RIM has developed supportive relationships with other transnational violent extremist groups grounded in mutual aid and training. The closest of these connections are with...the Russian neo-Nazi organization Rusich, and the transnational accelerationist neo-Nazi organization Atomwaffen Division...Rusich and the Russian Imperial Movement [have] U.S. nationals sympathetic to their cause [like] far-right organizer Matthew Heimbach and U.S. cells of the extremist Atomwaffen Division.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newamerica.org/future-frontlines/reports/putin-mobilization-wagner-group/|title=Putin's Stealth Mobilization|quote=We also observed significant overlap between members of [RIM and Rusich] and well-known transnational White supremacist organization Atomwaffen Division...adherents of the Russian Imperial Movement, Rusich and related identitarian paramilitary groups such as...Atomwaffen Division|date=16 March 2024|work=New America (organization)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.outono.net/elentir/2024/09/09/russia-sends-neo-nazi-sabotage-group-to-strengthen-and-spy-on-finnish-border/|title=Russia sends neo-nazi sabotage group to 'strengthen' and spy on Finnish border|work=Contando Estrelas|date=10 September 2024|quote=Some sources link the DSHRG "Rusich" with an international neo-nazi and Satanic network, the Order of the Nine Angles (ONA), accused of terrorist practices, child abuse and human sacrifice, and which in Russia also has one of its branches in the so-called Ave Satan Legion.}}

The International Centre for Counter-Terrorism described the RIM's relationship with the Russian government as "an adversarial symbiosis"; as long as they do not commit terrorism domestically, they are free to operate and offer training to militants and to send troops to conflicts abroad where Russia has a stake in.{{cite journal |last1=Gartenstein-Ross |first1=Daveed |last2=Hodgson |first2=Samuel |last3=Clarke |first3=Dr Colin P. |date=February 5, 2021 |title=The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) and its Links to the Transnational White Supremacist Extremist Movement |url=https://icct.nl/publication/the-russian-imperial-movement-rim-and-its-links-to-the-transnational-white-supremacist-extremist-movement/ |journal=International Centre for Counter-Terrorism |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218170842/https://icct.nl/publication/the-russian-imperial-movement-rim-and-its-links-to-the-transnational-white-supremacist-extremist-movement/ |url-status=live }}

Western intelligence officials say they believe that the RIM has ties with and cooperates with Russian intelligence. The New York Times, citing unnamed U.S. officials, states that RIM is only partially aligned with the Russian government; the movement's leadership has been critical of the government's conduct of the Ukraine invasion, and has accused Putin of corruption. Yet, the RIM and Russian intelligence share common goals abroad, leading to a symbiotic relationship in which Russian intelligence has been able to influence the RIM's actions.

On 6 April 2020, the U.S. Department of State added the Russian Imperial Movement and three of its leaders (Stanislav Anatolyevich Vorobyev, Denis Valliullovich Gariyev,{{Cite web |title=Denis Valiullovich Gariyev |url=https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/denis-valiullovich-gariyev |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=Counter Extremism Project |archive-date=2021-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604011834/https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/denis-valiullovich-gariyev |url-status=live }} and Nikolay Nikolayevich Trushchalov{{Cite web |title=Nikolay Nikolayevich Trushchalov |url=https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/nikolay-nikolayevich-trushchalov |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=Counter Extremism Project |archive-date=2021-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604011833/https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/nikolay-nikolayevich-trushchalov |url-status=live }}) to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, thereby making it the first white supremacist group to be designated a terrorist organization by the State Department.

The group was officially designated as a terrorist group in Canada on 3 February 2021.{{Cite web |last=Aiello |first=Rachel |date=2021-02-03 |title=Canada adds Proud Boys to terror list |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-1.5293967 |access-date=2021-02-03 |website=CTVNews |archive-date=2021-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206214229/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-adds-proud-boys-to-terror-list-bringing-range-of-legal-financial-implications-1.5293967 |url-status=live }}

File:Patch of the Russian Imperial Legion.svg

In 2008, RIM formed its paramilitary arm, named the Imperial Legion ({{langx |ru| Имперский легион}}), which has been led by Denis Valliullovich Gariyev since at least 2014,{{Cite web |last1=University |first1=© Stanford |last2=Stanford |last3=California 94305 |title=MMP: Russian Imperial Movement |url=https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=cisac.fsi.stanford.edu |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904102544/https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement |url-status=live }} and has called for "young Orthodox men" to dedicate themselves to defending Novorossiya.

The group maintains two training facilities in Saint Petersburg, one of which is known as camp Partizan, located south of {{ill|Heinäsenmaa|ru|Хейнясенмаа}} island. Partizan runs training in urban warfare, shooting, tactical medicine, high-altitude activity, military psychology, and survival.{{cite news |date=June 14, 2020 |title=Club Partizan, el campo de entrenamiento militar en Rusia para los neonazis del mundo (Club Partizan, the military training ground in Russia for the neo-Nazis of the world) |work=Infobae |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2020/06/14/club-partizan-el-campo-de-entrenamiento-militar-ruso-para-los-neonazis-del-mundo/ |access-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629104319/https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2020/06/14/club-partizan-el-campo-de-entrenamiento-militar-ruso-para-los-neonazis-del-mundo/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=14 January 2022 |title=Combat training for European neo-Nazis in Russia |url=https://lansinginstitute.org/2020/06/09/combat-training-for-european-neo-nazis-in-russia/ |publisher=Lansing Institute |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808010100/https://lansinginstitute.org/2020/06/09/combat-training-for-european-neo-nazis-in-russia/ |url-status=live }}

After the war in Donbas broke out in eastern Ukraine in April 2014, the RIM began training and sending volunteer soldiers to the pro-Russian groups in the conflict in July.

Some members of the Imperial Legion have worked as mercenaries in the Middle East and North Africa. On January 30, 2020, it was reported that Vladimir Skopinov, who had also previously fought in Donbas and Syria, had died in Libya—the second member of the Legion to die there.{{cite web |date=7 April 2020 |title=Russian mercenary who fought in Donbas killed in Libya |url=https://uawire.org/russian-mercenary-who-fought-in-donbas-killed-in-libya |publisher=UAWire |access-date=7 April 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407222230/https://uawire.org/russian-mercenary-who-fought-in-donbas-killed-in-libya |url-status=live }}

File:Flag of the Russian Imperial Legion.svg

Some people affiliated with the movement have been implicated in crimes. Klaud Rommel who was affiliated with Russian orthodox fundamentalist militias has been charged with "sexual violence committed against a victim under the age of 12" for allegedly "systematically" raping a 10-year-old girl. Rommel was arrested after returning from the frontline in Ukraine and having recovered from wounds sustained there. Rommel was also known for producing media from a Russian Orthodox militant perspective and writing about the New World Order.{{cite web|url=https://www.o2.pl/informacje/napisali-co-zrobil-10-latce-bloger-z-rosji-zatrzymany-7076991639583584a|title=Jego ofiarą była 10-latka. Bloger z Rosji zatrzymany|work=o2.pl|date=2 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/01/10/2024/66fbfa179a79471a372b9a89|title=Православного блогера задержали по подозрению в изнасиловании ребенка|work=rbc.ru|date=2 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://news.ru/society/syna-illyuminata-zapodozrili-v-pedofilii-ranennyj-boec-svo-okazalsya-v-sizo/|work=News.ru|date=3 October 2024|title=Сына иллюмината заподозрили в педофилии: раненый боец СВО оказался в СИЗО}}

According to the US State Department, RIM provides paramilitary-style training to extremists throughout Europe and operates two training facilities there.

RIM has provided paramilitary training to Finnish neo-Nazis.{{cite web |date=7 April 2020 |title=United States Designates Russian Imperial Movement and Leaders as Global Terrorists |url=https://www.state.gov/united-states-designates-russian-imperial-movement-and-leaders-as-global-terrorists/ |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=7 April 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093359/https://www.state.gov/united-states-designates-russian-imperial-movement-and-leaders-as-global-terrorists/ |url-status=live }} Finnish neo-Nazis have been recruited for the war in Ukraine by local far-right pro-Russian parties.{{cite web|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2021/11/29/some-20-finns-fought-against-ukraine-in-donbas-facing-no-consequences-in-finland-media/|title=Some 20 Finns fought against Ukraine in Donbas, facing no consequences in Finland – media|work=Euromaidan Press|date=13 May 2024|quote=“Johan Backman says that he continues to help Finns who have gone to Eastern Ukraine to fight. He does not feel responsible for the people he recruits.” Johan Bäckman is an important central figure for Finnish fighters, who had organized their travel from Finland to the Donbas and engaged them in illegal activities there. Janus Kostia Putkonen arrived in Donbas from Moscow via Rostov, southern Russia, in March 2015.}}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Itä-Ukrainassa Venäjän puolesta taistelleet suomalaiset kehuskelevat kokemuksillaan – muualla Euroopassa vierastaistelijoita on tuomittu rikoksista |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718 |work=Finnish Broadcasting Company |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428224718/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Wednesday's papers: Neo-nazi training, employment discrimination, fighting swans |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801 |work=Finnish Broadcasting Company |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324233030/https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Finnish Neo-Nazis attend paramilitary trainings in Russia |url=https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/ |work=European Jewish Congress |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814203811/https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Suomen uusnatsit hankkivat nyt oppia Venäjältä: järjestön koulutuskeskus järjestää haulikko- ja pistooliammuntaa, "partisaanikursseja" ja kieltää kiroilun |url=https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html |work=Helsingin Sanomat |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520200607/https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.kommunistinuoret.fi/post/Elämä-vihan-jälkeen|work=Tiedonantaja|title=Elämä vihan jälkeen|date=17 July 2023}} In July 2023 the Finnish police arrested five men in Lahti who possessed assault rifles and adhered to accelerationism and Siege and planned to ignite a race war by attacking the infrastructure, electric grid and railroads.{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20041960|title=Terrorismista epäilty Lahden uusnatsi vainosi tummaihoista perhettä – ampui konepistoolilla perheen postilaatikkoa ja julkaisi teosta videon

|work=Yle|date=21 July 2023}} The men discussed forming a new Atomwaffen cell, and discussed assassinating Prime minister Sanna Marin. It was reported the men had at least planned training in Russia, and had met with Janus Putkonen. Later Iltalehti confirmed the men had acquired training for the use of firearms and explosives.{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/1720f84f-a9de-4c0e-953d-9059a8c9fc0f|title=Kolmelle miehelle tuomiot terrorismirikoksista|work=Iltalehti|date=October 31, 2023}} Additionally the group committed burglaries against left-wing targets.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/suunnitelmissa-sanna-marinin-ampuminen-ja-junien-suistaminen-suurista-aikeista-huolimatta-lahden-aarioikeistoryhman-iskut-jaivat-postilaatikoiden-rajayttelyyn/8776190|title=Viestittelyä Sanna Marinin ampumisesta ja junien suistamisesta – suurista aikeista huolimatta Lahden äärioikeistoryhmän iskut jäivät postilaatikoiden räjäyttelyyn|work=MTV News|date=September 13, 2023}} RIM initially trained members of its ally Nordic Resistance Movement in Finland, and since its banning it has continued training NRM's successor groups.{{Cite book |last=Byman |first=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUVWEAAAQBAJ&q=Russian+imperial+movement |title=Spreading Hate: The Global Rise of White Supremacist Terrorism |date=2022 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-753761-9 |language=en|page=87}}

RIM has provided paramilitary training to German neo-Nazis.

In May 2018, German Junge Nationaldemokraten held a gathering in Riesa, Germany, where representatives of RIM took part in together with related organizations such as the neo-Nazi Serbian Action and Bulgarian National Union.{{cite web | url=https://junge-nationalisten.de/europa/europa-jugend-regeneration-3-jn-europakongress-ein-rueckblick/ | title=EUROPA – JUGEND – [RE]GENERATION.3. JN-EUROPAKONGRESS: EIN RÜCKBLICK | date=15 April 2020 | work=Junge Nationalisten | access-date=15 April 2020 | archive-date=22 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022201358/https://junge-nationalisten.de/europa/europa-jugend-regeneration-3-jn-europakongress-ein-rueckblick/ | url-status=live }}

On 5 June 2020, the German magazine Focus reported that the German security services were aware of the training of German neo-Nazis in Russia. However, they could not prohibit the Germans from traveling to Saint Petersburg for legal reasons. The authorities assume that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the camps and "at least tolerates them".{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/de/deutsche-neonazis-werden-in-russland-milit%C3%A4risch-geschult/a-53694244 |title=Deutsche Neonazis werden in Russland militärisch geschult |date=5 June 2020 |work=Focus |access-date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605140357/https://www.dw.com/de/deutsche-neonazis-werden-in-russland-milit%C3%A4risch-geschult/a-53694244 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Pladson|first=Kristie|date=2020-06-05|title=German neo-Nazis trained at Russian camps: report|url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-neo-nazis-trained-at-russian-camps-report/a-53692907|access-date=2020-06-05|website=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=2020-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605110419/https://www.dw.com/en/german-neo-nazis-trained-at-russian-camps-report/a-53692907|url-status=live}}

In 2022, the German government verified that members of the German NPD youth organization Young Nationalists and the German neo-Nazi group "Third Way" trained in Russia in this center.{{Cite web |title=Deutsche Neonazis in Russland an Waffen ausgebildet |url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/deutsche-neonazis-in-russland-an-waffen-ausgebildet-P7CANI6VLFFENEUGAKZENG6H2Y.html |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.rnd.de |date=5 June 2022 |language=de |archive-date=2022-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616005919/https://www.rnd.de/politik/deutsche-neonazis-in-russland-an-waffen-ausgebildet-P7CANI6VLFFENEUGAKZENG6H2Y.html |url-status=live }}

In November 2019, a representative of RIM held a speech at an international conference in Madrid that was organized by the{{cite web |date=7 April 2020 |title=España, foco de la revuelta. |url=http://democracianacional.org/dn/31535/ |work=Democracia Nacional |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408012632/http://democracianacional.org/dn/31535/ |url-status=live }} neo-Nazi{{cite web|url=https://www.elplural.com/sociedad/democracia-nacional-se-suma-transportistas-luchar-con-ellos_286271102|title=Los neonazis de Democracia Nacional se suman a los transportistas para "luchar" con ellos|date=27 April 2023|work=El Plural|access-date=27 April 2023|archive-date=27 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427082218/https://www.elplural.com/sociedad/democracia-nacional-se-suma-transportistas-luchar-con-ellos_286271102|url-status=live}} far-right Spanish political party "National Democracy" which was attended by members of Alliance for Peace and Freedom.

On 29 April 2020, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior received an intelligence report which stated that RIM was inciting its right-wing extremist contacts in Spain to commit acts of terror, such as attacking the infrastructure, transportation system and using chemical weapons against the public.{{cite web |date=29 April 2020 |title=Un informe de Interior alerta de planes para esparcir el coronavirus y atacar torres de 5G |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2020-04-29/informe-interior-alerta-planes-esparcir-coronavirus-atacar-torres-5g_2565723/ |work=El Confidencial |access-date=2020-04-29 |archive-date=2020-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429160644/https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2020-04-29/informe-interior-alerta-planes-esparcir-coronavirus-atacar-torres-5g_2565723/ |url-status=live }}

The RIM—possibly acting as a proxy for Russian intelligence—is believed to have perpetrated the letter bomb terrorist campaign that targeted Spanish governmental institutions, embassies, and military and defense industry installations across Spain in late 2022. Important RIM members are known to have been present in Spain, and the RIM has fostered ties with Spanish far-right groups.{{Cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Edward |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Schmitt |first3=Eric |date=2023-01-22 |title=Russian Agents Suspected of Directing Far-Right Group to Mail Bombs in Spain |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/22/us/politics/russia-spain-letter-bombs.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122163031/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/22/us/politics/russia-spain-letter-bombs.html |url-status=live }}

In 2008, RIM visited Sweden in order to attend Karl XII's Memorial Day in Stockholm together with the neo-Nazi Party of the Swedes. In autumn 2015 it was noted that RIM had provided support to the Swedish Resistance Movement (SMR), and that RIM's leader Vorobyev had visited SMR in Sweden.

On 26 January 2020, a Russian man named Anatoly Udodov was arrested at the Arlanda airport after the police had discovered a cache of weapons belonging to him. The Swedish police had confiscated numerous firearms from him the previous summer due to his connections to SMR. Udodov was described as the representative of RIM in Sweden by Vorobyev and investigators believe he is the local recruiter for the RIM training camps. According to Swedish police Udodov is friends with a convicted terrorist, 23-year-old Viktor Melin. Melin was part of a group of Swedish neo-Nazis who went to Russia for military training, and upon returning was responsible for a string of bombings against minorities and political enemies.{{cite web |date=7 April 2020 |title="За Рассею пострадать хочу". Почему в Швеции судят националиста из СССР |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-51586850 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=7 April 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023851/https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-51586850 |url-status=live }}

According to multiple sources, Atomwaffen Division Russland receives training from the group. The citizens of the United States who are affiliated with the group are also believed to have taken part in it.{{cite book |last=Nacos |first=Brigitte |author-link=Brigitte L. Nacos |date=27 April 2023 |title=Terrorism and Counterterrorism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VuS1EAAAQBAJ&dq=%22according+to+intelligence+reports,+members+of+the+AWD+trained+with+the+Imperial+Russian+Movement+in+a+camp+outside+of+St.+Petersburg%22&pg=PT82 |location= |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-138-31763-5|quote="according to intelligence reports, members of the AWD trained with the Imperial Russian Movement in a camp outside of St. Petersburg"}}{{cite news |author=Spencer Beswick |date=6 January 2023 |title=The Jan. 6 coup blared an alarm about rising fascism. Will we hear it? |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2023/01/06/anti-fascists-1980s-jan-6/ |quote=With Trump out of office, a worrying number of fascist groups today are repeating the revolutionary turn of the 1980s, from neo-Nazis like the Atomwaffen Division (also known as the National Socialist Resistance Front), which has sought military training with both the Ukrainian Azov Battalion and the Russian Imperial Movement |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107042408/https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2023/01/06/anti-fascists-1980s-jan-6/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=25 December 2022 |title=We Applied to Join a Neo-Nazi Group Fighting in Ukraine |work=Unicorn Riot |url=https://unicornriot.ninja/2022/we-applied-to-join-a-neo-nazi-group-fighting-in-ukraine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224195520/https://unicornriot.ninja/2022/we-applied-to-join-a-neo-nazi-group-fighting-in-ukraine/ |archive-date=24 December 2022 |quote=There has been an AWD cell in Russia since 2020 and it has close relations with the paramilitary, radical right group known as the Russian Imperial Movement. Many of the members of AWD have received military training from the latter.}}{{cite news |date=13 December 2022 |title=Rinaldo Nazzaro, Leader of the Neo-Nazi Terrorist Group—The Base: Probable Linkages to RIM |page=13 |work=C/O Futures |url=https://www.cofutures.net/post/rinaldo-nazzaro-leader-of-the-neo-nazi-terrorist-group-the-base-probable-linkages-to-rim |access-date=15 December 2022 |archive-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215022026/https://www.cofutures.net/post/rinaldo-nazzaro-leader-of-the-neo-nazi-terrorist-group-the-base-probable-linkages-to-rim |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=14 October 2022 |title=V 'denacifikacijo' Ukrajine tudi ruski neonacisti (Russian neo-Nazis are also involved in the 'denazification' of Ukraine) |work=24ur.com |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/ukrajina/v-denacifikacijo-ukrajine-tudi-ruski-neonacisti.html |quote=Among those listed, the Atomwaffen Division, founded in the USA, which is closely connected to both Russian and Ukrainian ultra-right groups, is certainly still operating illegally. In doing so, it cooperates with the Azov battalion, which is banned on the territory of Russia, and the Russian imperialist movement, which the US State Department estimates enables the training of white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Europe. |access-date=14 October 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014074025/https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/ukrajina/v-denacifikacijo-ukrajine-tudi-ruski-neonacisti.html |url-status=live }} Later, the National Counterterrorism Center Director Christopher Miller confirmed that American neo-Nazis have had contacts with the RIM; specifically, on previous occasions, they have traveled to Russia to train with the group, however Miller described these connections as "relatively loose and informal".{{cite news |date=October 3, 2020 |title=FBI Worried About Clashes Between Violent Groups Before US Vote |work=The Globe Post |url=https://theglobepost.com/2020/09/18/fbi-violent-groups-clashes/ |access-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920173611/https://theglobepost.com/2020/09/18/fbi-violent-groups-clashes/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://lansinginstitute.org/2023/02/03/neo-nazi-organizations-and-radicals-as-a-tool-of-influence-in-scandinavia/|title=Neo-Nazi organizations and radicals as a tool of influence in Scandinavia|quote=Meanwhile, Canada and the U.S. recognized the RIM as a terrorist organization, which is suspected of being involved in mailing improvised explosive devices in late 2022. Besides, two RIM members were killed in Libya, which is validly suggests their affiliation with the GRU. In 2022, organization members took part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The RIM is also reported to have a relationship with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division’s Russian affiliate. We see common features in the structure and functioning of Atomwaffen Division and the NRM, which suggests common sources of their organizational development.|date=9 February 2023|access-date=9 February 2023|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208050121/https://lansinginstitute.org/2023/02/03/neo-nazi-organizations-and-radicals-as-a-tool-of-influence-in-scandinavia/|url-status=live}} The ties between Atomwaffen and RIM reach back to 2015 when Brandon Russell met with the leadership of RIM.{{cite web|url=https://extremism.gwu.edu/atomwaffen-division-awd|title=Atomwaffen Division (AWD)|work=Program on Extremism at The George Washington University|date=10 March 2025|quote=Russell traveled to a neo-Nazi event in Russia in 2015, where he made contact with organizations such as Greece’s Golden Dawn, the Nordic Resistance Movement, and designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM).}}{{cite news |date=6 August 2022 |title=Washington's Defunct Atomwaffen Division had Deep Ties to the Terrorist Org, Russia Imperialist Movement |work=Malcontent News |url=https://malcontentment.com/washingtons-defunct-atomwaffen-division-had-deep-ties-to-the-terrorist-org-russia-imperialist-movement/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817000943/https://malcontentment.com/washingtons-defunct-atomwaffen-division-had-deep-ties-to-the-terrorist-org-russia-imperialist-movement/ |url-status=live }} Additionally both groups adhere to James Mason's accelerationism. According to the Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism;

In the last decade, RIM has put considerable effort into connecting with other white supremacist, accelerationist, or ultra-Orthodox organizations abroad. Experts from the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation even speculate that after fighting in the Donbas War, RIM sought to position itself at the forefront of the transnational white supremacist movement in an ambitious networking plan called the "Last Crusade"....The "Last Crusade" proved to be a successful promotion of RIM's training camps to American accelerationists. In 2018, the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division's (AWD) leader Kaleb James Cole, accompanied by another member Aiden Bruce-Umbaugh, traveled to Russia to receive training at RIM's facilities. RIM has also provided training to other US nationals affiliated with AWD in St. Petersburg sometime around 2020. At present, the above information suggests an overlap between AWD and RIM in support for antisemitic action and militant accelerationism.Chin, Taylor. “[https://www.middlebury.edu/institute/academics/centers-initiatives/ctec/ctec-publications/justification-designating-russian-imperial The Justification for Designating the Russian Imperial Movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization].” Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Occasional paper. June 2024.

RIM has also provided paramilitary training to Polish neo-Nazis.

• Antisemitism in Europe
• Antisemitism in Russia
• Atomwaffen Division
• Combat 18
• Fascism
• Fascism in Europe
• List of fascist movements
• List of fascist movements by country
• Nordic Resistance Movement
• Order of Nine Angles
• Racism in Europe
• Racism in Russia
• Radical right (Europe)
• Rashism
• Russian nationalism
• Terrorgram
• Terrorism in Europe
• Terrorism in Russia

{{Reflist|group=A}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement#highlight_text_22716 Russian Imperial Movement – Center for International Security and Cooperation]

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbOli-3E_6A Russian Imperial Movement] by Radio Free Europe
• {{Official website|https://rusimperia.is/}}

{{War in Donbas}}

{{White nationalism}}

Category:Accelerationism

Category:Anti-American sentiment in Russia

Category:Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Russia

Category:Military units and formations of Russia in the war in Donbas

Category:Neo-Nazi organizations

Category:Neo-Nazism in Russia

Category:Organizations based in Europe designated as terrorist

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Canada

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States

Category:Paramilitary organizations based in Russia

Category:Pro-Russian militant groups

Category:Neo-fascist organizations in Russia

Category:Monarchism in Russia

Category:Neo-fascist terrorism

Category:Christian nationalism in Europe

Category:Christian fascism

Category:Monarchist organizations

Category:Nationalist terrorism in Europe

Category:Terrorism in Russia