Anyone here at DU want to look further into "Putin Bros" Konstantin Rykov and Artem Klyushin?
Last week I stumbled across several revealing Facebook posts from an individual named Konstantin Rykov, who's been nicknamed "Putin Trollmaster" from various sources across the web. You can read my post here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029322103
In looking into Rykov, I came across another name, Artem Klyushin, who had what appeared to be ties to both Putin and Trump:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029326152
In looking into both these guys, I noticed from their Twitter interactions that they appear to be well acquainted with one another. There's dozens upon dozens of times where they've talked back and forth on Twitter, dating back to at least August 2010. Much of their recent discussions (from 2015 on) have centered around Vladimir Putin, Marie La Pen and Donald Trump and the campaigns of the latter two individuals.
Now, there's so much on their respective Twitter and Facebook pages to process that I haven't even managed to get, but the level in which they speak in winking terms seems to me that it's possible we have a Talent Man/Money Man relationship going on here.
Just a brief primer on both Rykov and Klushin:
Artem Klyushin (aka Money Man)--Russian millionaire/billionaire, young (probably in his early to mid 30s). Strong supporter of Vladimir Putin since youth (pictures on his Facebook page show him on stage with Putin on several different occasions). May have some official role with the Russian government. Heavy critic of western sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Strong supporter of Donald Trump and his campaign for president, has continued to praise Trump up through current day (sent birthday greetings to Trump in June). Friend of Emin Agalarov, who helped arrange for Trump Tower meeting and who filmed a music video with Trump. Attended 2013 Miss Universe contest and afterparties in Moscow hosted by Trump and took pictures standing with Trump during the event.
Konstantin Rykov (aka Talent Man)--Former member of the Russian Duma under Putin's United Russia party, 38 years old. IT expert involved in numerous online ventures. Vocal supporter of Putin as well as La Pen and Trump, spoke to reporters about desiring a "triptych" alliance between Putin, Trump and La Pen (prior to La Pen's defeat in French elections). Launched Trump2016.ru website in August 2015 (just two months after Trump announced his candidacy) and promoted the website over Russian media and sought help with "project." Organized Pro-Trump election day and inauguration day parties in Russia for Russian Trump supporters. In November 2016 just several days after Trump's election, bragged on Facebook about how he had started a targeted information campaign aimed at US voters to promote Trump since 2012, and referenced little known facts in that posting (such as the Trump campaign's use of Cambridge Analaytica data to pinpoint potential voters).
There are many times where Rykov and Klyushin go back and forth on Twitter--and perhaps on Facebook as well--but a few stand out especially.
In March 2016, Klyushin posts this on Twitter while apparently visiting some workspace carved out by Rykov:
Link to tweet
Translation: "We sit with Kostya @ rykov nurture imperial ambitions ... "
Kluyshin goes on and posts pictures of a "secret meeting" he's at with Rykov and several other individuals (Rykov is the one with the wavy hair and beard).
Link to tweet
Translation: "The secret meeting ... The ideology of over-consumption is more dangerous for us than the ideology of totalitarianism. an alternative to "
In May 2016, he reposts Rykov's profile picture, calling him "brother" and claiming he was "with" him.
Link to tweet
Translation: "@ Rykov Brother, with dnyuhoy you
"
And then on November 8, 2016--election day--Klyushin posts a picture of Donald Duck (heh), and jokingly offers this bit of praise for his friend:
Link to tweet
"For once, I am amazed at the genius @ rykov ... "
Just noting again, this is Artem Kluyshin, who we know is connected with the Agalarovs and who attended the Miss Universe festivities in 2013. It appears he may have met with Trump on at least two separate occasions.
I just feel between Rykov and Klyushin, there is just a treasure trove of information on their social media pages about possible Russian collusion efforts with the Trump campaign. Most likely, US intelligence has already looked into these guys and may already have an idea of where--if anywhere--they fit into the overall scheme.
But I think for the purposes of discussion here at DU and things we could possibly bring to the attention of people in the media (Rachel Maddow, for example) who could be in a better position to vet the information and see if it is newsworthy or not.
So if anyone else wants to look into Rykov and Klyushin's pages, please feel free to do so. They obviously aren't shy with their own support for Putin and Trump.
Klyushin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARTEM.KLYUSHIN?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARTEM_KLYUSHIN
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artem_klyushin/
Rykov:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konstantin.rykov
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rykov
And of course, here's a handy link to Google Translate:
https://translate.google.com/?hl=en&tab=TT
If anyone finds anything else valuable, please let DU know. And then please forward to reputable sources in the media. These assholes are balsy and brazen and not apologetic at all for what they did.
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