Simeon Boikov: Ukrainians call on Penny Wong to kick out Russian agent ‘Aussie cossack’ in Sydney consulate

Ukrainians in Australia have called on Foreign Minister Penny Wong to shut down the Sydney consulate housing Russian agent Simeon Boikov following revelations the Australian-born man paid a viral account on X to spread pro-Trump disinformation during the recent US election.

CNN revealed that the owner of a viral account @AlphaFox78 on Elon Musk’s social networking site X was paid $100 to post a fake video that falsely claimed Haitian immigrations were engaging in voting fraud in the swing state of Georgia in the recent US election.

Musk is one of Trump’s biggest financial and media backers and has been granted his request for a special position in the incoming Trump Administration overseeing cuts in Federal Government spending. Mr Boikov is dodging an arrest warrant for allegedly assaulting a 76-year-old man at a pro-Ukraine rally at Sydney’s Town Hall in 2023.

CNN reported that multiple payments had been sent to the user of the account from Mr Boikov, who has been given Russian citizenship.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute said the act was an example of hybrid warfare being conducted on Australian soil and that a failure to deal with Boikov risked implicating Australia and tarnishing the country as a launchpad for foreign interference.

Kateryna Argyrou, co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations said Boikov’s attempts to spread disinformation were no surprise but urged the Government to follow the lead of Poland and shut down the consulate given the clear proof of foreign interference.

“While the Australian Government refuses to close Russia’s embassy in Canberra in response to Moscow’s campaign of terror and genocide in Ukraine, we urge the Government to at least shut down the Sydney consulate and send Russia’s diplomats and spies packing,” Ms Argyrou said.

“Poland’s recent decision to close the Russian consulate off the back of a sabotage operation found to have been carried out by Russian intelligence was the right one.

“A consulate should not be used to undermine another country’s sovereignty — it makes a mockery of the traditional function of a consulate.

“It is absurd that Boikov can escape justice, and live in relative peace in the Russian consulate in an up-market area of Sydney, conducting his foreign interference activities.

“How can the Government allow our country to be a safe haven for a pro-Putin propagandist, who delights in causing social division and peddling Russia’s disinformation narratives?

“As long as he is allowed to hide out in the consulate, he will continue his hostile and devious meddling in support of the Kremlin.”

In October, the government of Poland shut down the Russian consulate in Wroclaw and declared its diplomatic staff personae non gratae following a sabotage attack in the country’s fourth-largest city which it said was orchestrated by foreign intelligence services.

“Polish services report that the Russian Federation is waging a hybrid war against Poland,” the government said.

Boikov has sought asylum in the Russian consulate in Sydney and likened himself to the convicted felon Julian Assange, who sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years in a bid to evade the US justice system which pursued his extradition over the theft and publication of US diplomatic cables more than a decade ago.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms Wong successfully sought Mr Assange’s freedom from US President Joe Biden and the pair’s handpicked ambassadors, former prime minister and foreign minister Kevin Rudd and Stephen Smith personally escorted Assange to Australia.

Assange’s father, John Shipton who campaigned with WikiLeaks and lobbied the US, Australian and UK governments for his son’s freedom has since flown to Russia to personally thank Russian President Vladimir Putin for for being the first to support his son, who also published the DNC email leaks that contributed to Hillary Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016.

Opposition’s foreign affairs spokesman, retiring senator Simon Birmingham said the Government should act to stop Boikov from doing any more damage against Western interests.

“The Albanese Government needs to be upfront about the extent Russian diplomatic posts in Australia are being used to conduct foreign interference rather than consular activities,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Australia should not be abused by foreign governments as a launch pad for misinformation in any elections.

“Where the evidence is clear that foreign governments have abused their positions in Australia, then action should be taken by sending relevant officials packing or reducing the presence of those governments.

“Before the last election Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese talked a tough game about expelling the Russian ambassador but after more than two years of inaction, should now explain their change of heart.”

During the 2022 election, Mr Albanese and Ms Wong released a statement saying there should be “diplomatic consequences” in line with Australia’s EU partners who expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats after Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Dr Fitriani, a senior analyst specialising in hybrid threats at the Canberra-based think tank ASPI said hybrid threats were aimed at trying to sow distrust to undermine citizens’ trust in institutions and democracies.

“By leveraging the reach and perceived authenticity of influencers, one of them is “AlphaFox78” (with followers around 670k on X), operatives mirror legitimate marketing strategies but with malicious intent.” she said.

“The fabrication of false narratives, such as the staged video featuring fake actors and IDs, illustrates how hybrid threat actors construct disinformation to appear credible.

“This tactic preys on public trust while exploiting vulnerabilities in institutional credibility.”

Dr Fitriani said the low-cost model was potentially high reward.

“Small payments of $US100 highlight how hybrid operations can achieve substantial impact with minimal resources,” she said.

“The transnational dimension of this case, involving Simeon Boikov, a Russian propagandist operating in Australia, reflects the complex and borderless nature of hybrid threats.”

And she warned that Boikov’s tactics could be turned on Australians in the coming months, as Mr Albanese prepares to head to the polls.

“Boikov’s role as a registered foreign agent adds another layer, linking the operation to state-backed disinformation efforts.

“Australia could be implicated due to Simeon Boikov, as he is a registered Russian foreign agent operating from Australian territory.

“This could raise concerns about Australia being used as a base for hybrid threats, potentially affecting its international reputation, especially with allies like the US.

“Boikov’s activities also highlight potential gaps in Australia’s measures to counter foreign influence and disinformation, which is good to be revealed now so the country can be more prepared for next year’s election.”

When contacted by The Nightly, Ms Wong declined to comment.

A DFAT spokesperson said instead that Australia remained “deeply concerned” about Russia’s use of disinformation globally, including efforts to justify its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

“The Australian Government’s position is that Mr Boikov must face the criminal charges that have been laid against him,” the spokesperson said.

“Any law enforcement actions in relation to Mr Boikov are a matter for NSW Police.”