Nomma Zarubina, a Russian national, was arrested in the US on charges of providing false information to law enforcement and maintaining ties with Russian intelligence. Her arrest connects her to Elena Branson, a Russian intelligence operative who fled the US after being investigated for espionage.
Zarubina, a former public figure, was allegedly recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in 2020 under the codename “Alyssa.” According to FBI documents, Zarubina built a network of contacts, including journalists and experts, to support FSB operations. Based in Tomsk, Siberia, she allegedly attended meetings in Europe and the US to carry out her FSB tasks.
In 2021, Zarubina allegedly misled FBI agents about her connection to Russian intelligence. However, the FBI claims her actions contradicted her statements. In 2023, she was spotted at a Washington event with opposition figure Leonid Volkov’s supporters. She also had ties to Branson, who fled the US after being charged with espionage-related activities.
Zarubina has long supported Kremlin policies, including Putin’s 2014 Crimea annexation speech. She has also been vocal about Siberia’s political future, even advocating for a “United States of Siberia.” In an interview, Zarubina denied working as an FSB agent but admitted to being contacted by them. She expressed shock at her arrest, believing her cooperation with US authorities was in good faith. Zarubina was released on bail with restrictions, including staying in New York and surrendering her passport.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE