Simeon Boikov
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Simeon Boikov (born Semen Mikhailovich Boykov; February 15, 1990), better known by the pseudonym Aussie Cossack, is an Australian YouTuber who is known for his pro-Russian content and COVID-19 misinformation. He was born in 1990 into a Russian-speaking household in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Boikov's father is a Russian Orthodox priest.[1]
Personal Life
Boikov was born on February 15, 1990 in Sydney to parents of Russian origin.[2][3]
Activities
In 2014, he travelled to Russia and met Igor Girkin, a separatist commander from Donbass who was found guilty of destroying Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. He said he was convinced that the plane had not been shot down, contrary to the investigation's findings, but that its crash was an accident. Back in Australia, he was arrested upon entering the country and questioned by several security services, before being released.[2]
Boikov first appeared on social media under the pseudonym Aussie Cossack. His viewership grew significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he began relaying and posting anti-vaccination content and covering protests against the government's health policy. He has been interviewed by Alex Jones.[4] He was sentenced to ten months in prison for violating a gag order.[2]
From the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Boikov began to relaying Kremlin propaganda and disinformation about the conflict.[2] He has openly supported the invasion and is credited with being the "first Australian propagandist for Putin".[2][5]
During a demonstration in support of Ukraine, Boikov attacked a 76-year-old pro-Ukrainian protestor who had confronted him while he was filming and knocked the man to the ground.[6] Boikov was arrested for assault and his passport was cancelled, the day before he planned to travel to Moscow.[2] His trial is set for January 25, 2023,[6] however he hid in the Russian consulate in Australia. In February 2023, Boikov was convicted of the assault in absentia and a second arrest warrant was issued for him.[2]
In April 2023, Boikov's YouTube channel was permanently shut down by the platform. Boikov alleged the shutdown came after he reposted comments by Senator Alex Antic about Australia's vaccine policy.[2]
While hiding in the Russian consulate, Boikov has appealed to Russian forces, to capture as many Ukrainians or Australian fighters as possible for a potential prisoner swap.[2] As of the end of September 2023, he is still hiding up in the Russian consulate. Boikov was granted Russian citizenship by Vladimir Putin, after claiming he was a "victim of persecution".[5]
In 2024, he paid $100 to an X account to post a fake video that falsely claimed Haitian immigrations were engaging in voting fraud in the swing state of Georgia in the 2024 US General elections.[7][8]
References
- ^ "'Putin's Angels' are here in Australia. They aren't the only Russian patriot group on the rise". ABC News. 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Hiding in the Russian consulate for months, 'Aussie Cossack' demands a prisoner swap". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 April 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Бойков Семен Михайлович". Центр «Миротворець». 15 February 1990. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "No 'freedom ball' for Kelly, pro-Putin activist and anti-lockdown right-wingers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b "'Aussie Cossack' given Russian citizenship in order signed by Putin". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 September 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Simeon Boikov charged with assault after Ukraine rally". The Daily Telegraph. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "Push to expel 'Aussie cossack' protected by Russians". The Nightly. 4 December 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ Rosales, Isabel; Murphy, Paul P. (5 November 2024). "A pro-Trump influencer says a Russian agent paid him $100 to post a fake voter fraud video. It wasn't the first time | CNN Politics". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.