Alexander Starunsky

Alexander Starunsky
Born1970 (age 55–56)

Aleksandr Starunsky (born 1970) (Russian: Александр Старунский) is an officer of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Russia's military intelligence agency known as the GRU.[1] According to Estonian Intelligence Starunsky is a former commander of Unit 54777 which is the main force behind Russian psychological operations. Straunsky, as of 2020, is identified as the deputy commander of the military unit 55111.[2]

Early life and education

Starunksy, listed as a Lieutenant Colonel at the time, completed a Candidate of Psychological Sciences, equivalent to a PhD in psychology in 1998 with a dissertation titled, "Psychological Influence as an Object of Acmeological Research."[3]

Military and intelligence career

Starunsky is a high-ranking officer of the GRU who is involved in that agency's disinformation and influence campaigns.[4]

In 2003, Starunsky authored an article titled "Psychological operations of the US armed forces in a modern stage" («Психологические операции вооруженных сил США на современном этапе») in the Russian military journal Military Thought (No. 11, 2003). The article analyzed U.S. psychological operations doctrine and practice, reflecting professional engagement with information warfare and strategic communications.[5]

Starunsky is identified in Russian media as the former commander of the military unit 54777 and the deputy commander of military unit No. 55 111 of the GRU, nicknamed "The Secret".[6]

He also founded the 21st Century Information Civilization, Russian Abroad Institute, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Business Club which owns a 20% stake in InfoRos.[7]

In 2021 Straunsky was appointed as a science adviser to the National Security Council by Vladimir Putin.[8] The Scientific and Expert Council of the Security Council of the Russian Federation provides "methodological and expert-analytical support for the activities of the Security Council and its working bodies".[9]

Role in COVID-19 disinformation

Starunsky is identified in connection with allegations that Russian intelligence services were behind online disinformation campaigns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] As part of their campaign Starunksy's team would create fake websites and news articles. Many of the publications were made by Russian intelligence were published on InfoRos, a Russian Government website tied to the GRU[11] and OneWorld.Press, a site that U.S. officials said had ties to the GRU. Starunksy is a member of the InfoRos board of directors since 2005.[12]

According to American intelligence officials these articles were then amplified on cites like GlobalResearch.ca which spread GRU propaganda.[13] From May to July 2020, GRU-related sites published around 150 articles about pandemic.[14]

Sanctions

Starunsky faces sanctions in Europe and Canada[15] for his role in spreading disinformation about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The French Government identified the Institute of the Russian Diaspora as owner of russkie.org which disseminates Russian disinformation and propaganda about the war in Ukraine. Starunsky is sanctioned for "supporting and implementing actions and policies which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."[16]

References

  1. ^ "Psy-ops in high places Putin's new science adviser to Russia's National Security Council is a military intelligence agent accused of spreading disinformation about the coronavirus". Meduza. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  2. ^ Barnes, Julian E.; Sanger, David E. (28 July 2020). "Russian Intelligence Agencies Push Disinformation on Pandemic". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Тест Тьюринга". www.dissercat.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  4. ^ Wilde, Gavin (14 September 2022). "In Russia's Information War, a New Field of Study Gains Traction". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  5. ^ Cheravitch, Joe (2021). The Role of Russia's Military in Information Confrontation. CNA Occasional Paper.
  6. ^ "Путин включил в совет при Совбезе сотрудника ГРУ. США обвиняли его в распространении фейков о COVID". Открытые Медиа (in Russian). 17 May 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  7. ^ "GRU Unit 54777: Russia's Psychological Operations Command". Grey Dynamics. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Psy-ops in high places Putin's new science adviser to Russia's National Security Council is a military intelligence agent accused of spreading disinformation about the coronavirus". Meduza. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Совет Безопасности Российской Федерации". www.scrf.gov.ru. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  10. ^ Tucker, Eric (28 July 2020). "US officials: Russia behind spread of virus disinformation". AP News. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  11. ^ "How Russia's military intelligence agency became the covert muscle in Putin's duels with the West". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Путин включил в совет при Совбезе сотрудника ГРУ. США обвиняли его в распространении фейков о COVID". Открытые Медиа (in Russian). 17 May 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Russian Intelligence Agencies Push Disinformation on Pandemic". Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Путин назначил членом научного совета при Совбезе сотрудника ГРУ, которого США и Эстония обвиняли в распространении фейков о ковиде Короткое расследование «Медузы»". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Aleksandr Gennad'yevich STARUNSKY". lursoft.lv. 14 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  16. ^ "Aleksandr Gennad'yevich STARUNSKY". OpenSanctions.org. 12 June 1970. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
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