FBI sanctions listing
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV is an individual designated on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted (FBI) sanctions list under the Counterintelligence programme, listed on 2020-06-04. Counterintelligence. This page summarises the public designation — known aliases, Russian nationality, identifying particulars, the stated reason for listing and linked parties — alongside an independent, transparent risk indicator.
Reason for listing
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful functions of the Federal Election Commission, the United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of State. This occurred in Washington, D.C., from early 2014 to February 16, 2018. Bystrov operated as General Director of the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA), an organization allegedly engaged in political and electoral interference operations in the United States which included the purchase of American computer server space, the creation of hundreds of fictitious online personas, and the use of stolen identities of persons from the United States. These actions were allegedly taken to reach significant numbers of Americans for the purposes of interfering with the United States political system, including the 2016 Presidential Election. Bystrov also served as the head of various companies used by the IRA to mask its activities. On February 16, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $75,000 for information leading to the arrest of Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT RISK
Statement of reasons as published by US FBI. This is the issuing authority's wording, reproduced for reference.
Designation record
| List / authority | US FBI (FBI) — FBI — Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Entity type | Person |
| Programmes / regime | Counterintelligence |
| Date listed | 2020-06-04 |
| Source record ID | fbi:e8333eccb199469faa7bfcbaca764306 |
| Last updated (our copy) | 2026-06-04 |
Identity & particulars
| Position / role | Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | December 21, 1958 |
| Place of birth | Russia |
| Nationality / country | Russian |
| Gender | Male |
Deep-research dossier
Not yet deep-researched
The instant review above is drawn from the public lists. A deep-research dossier goes much further — an analyst-grade OSINT report: associate & co-investment network screening, structural / ownership opacity, a dated risk trajectory, an 8-factor scoring model, and numbered, source-linked evidence. See the format in the design system.
Clarifications & right of reply
Are you MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV, or an authorised representative?
You — or your counsel or agent — can file a clarification and supporting documents against this record. Filings are reviewed and verified before anything is published; submissions are never posted automatically.
File a clarification or document
Source & provenance
| Issuing authority | U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted |
|---|---|
| Source identifier | fbi:e8333eccb199469faa7bfcbaca764306 |
| Aggregated by | Sanctiometer (independent) — verify against the issuing authority's official list before acting. |