A growing scandal has erupted in Russia surrounding Kremlin television host and chief propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, after accusations surfaced that his foundation misused millions of rubles collected under the pretext of helping Russian troops.
According to pro-war blogger Pozdnyakov, Solovyov’s SVR personal foundation collected over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) from Russian citizens, supposedly to supply the military with combat equipment. Instead, Pozdnyakov claims, much of the money remained in the foundation’s accounts, while the remainder was spent on what he called “worthless junk” — homemade buggies described as unsafe and completely unfit for combat.
“The so-called combat buggies turned out to be incapable of battlefield use,” Pozdnyakov said, publishing photographs that quickly spread across Russian social media. The images show crudely welded metal frames — some without steering wheels or seats — fitted with car tires and basic handlebars. The vehicles appear more like improvised garden carts powered by small engines than military-grade transports.
According to Pozdnyakov, Russian troops refused to use the vehicles, citing their lack of protection, low speed, and poor structural durability. “These machines are more dangerous to the driver than to the enemy,” he said, noting that the designs offered no armor and could not withstand even small-arms fire.
The scandal has also drawn attention to how Kremlin-linked media figures have used patriotic fundraising campaigns to enhance their public image while avoiding accountability for where donations actually go. Solovyov’s foundation described the vehicles as “buggy-carts” in an official statement announcing their handover to the military, portraying them as an “innovative solution for front-line mobility.”
However, the reaction among Russian pro-war bloggers — usually supportive of state media figures — was harsh. Many described the project as an embarrassment and accused Solovyov of exploiting patriotic sentiment for profit.
Analysts note that Solovyov, one of the most visible faces of Russian propaganda, has often portrayed himself as a tireless supporter of Russia’s war effort. His televised programs regularly feature aggressive rhetoric against Ukraine and the West, along with calls for expanded military action.
The controversy surrounding his foundation’s spending has fueled growing internal criticism of corruption within the patriotic movement and its ties to Kremlin media. Photos of the rusting “combat buggies,” left outdoors and unused, have become a viral symbol of what critics describe as “performative patriotism” — costly propaganda projects with little or no real benefit for Russian troops.
Neither Solovyov nor his foundation has publicly addressed the specific accusations of embezzlement. Russian state media have so far avoided reporting on the issue, while discussions continue to spread across Telegram and other pro-war social media channels.
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