The ghost of 2016 still haunts Washington, and the FBI is chasing shadows across continents to bring one of its architects to justice. Pavel Vyacheslavovich Yershov, a name whispered in intelligence circles, is a wanted man. Not for a street-level hustle or a back-alley brawl, but for a calculated assault on the very foundations of American democracy. He’s one of twelve Russian military intelligence officers indicted for a sprawling conspiracy to interfere with the 2016 presidential election – a digital invasion that burrowed into the systems of political organizations, stole secrets, and unleashed a torrent of disinformation.
Yershov, born in Tver, Russia in 1990, isn’t a thug with a gun, but a soldier of a different kind. An officer in the GRU, Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate, he allegedly operated within Unit 26165, a shadowy department dedicated to cyber warfare. The indictment paints a picture of a meticulous operation – hacking into computers, pilfering sensitive documents, and then strategically leaking them to sow discord and influence the outcome of the election. Beyond the headline-grabbing election interference, Yershov is also charged with aggravated identity theft, falsely registering domain names to mask their activity, and laundering money to fund the operation. This wasn’t just mischief; it was a coordinated attack with real-world consequences.
Federal investigators believe Yershov is a dangerous man, an international flight risk, and capable of disappearing into the vast Russian landscape. Details on his physical appearance are sparse – brown hair, brown eyes, a white male of unknown height and weight – but the FBI isn’t relying on a mugshot to track him. They’re following the money, tracing digital footprints, and leveraging intelligence assets across the globe. The stakes are high. Bringing Yershov to justice isn’t just about prosecuting a crime; it’s about sending a message that interference in American elections will not be tolerated. A substantial reward is offered for information leading directly to his arrest.
The trail has gone cold, with Yershov last known to be in Moscow. But the FBI believes someone, somewhere, knows something. A disgruntled colleague, a forgotten associate, a slip of the tongue. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to unlocking this case. This isn’t a cold case; it’s a simmering threat.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Pavel Vyacheslavovich Yershov, contact the FBI immediately at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Don’t let this ghost fade into the darkness.
🔠Key Facts
| Full Name | Pavel Vyacheslavovich Yershov |
| Charges | Conspiracy to Commit an Offense Against the United States; False Registration of a Domain Name; Aggravated Identity Theft; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering |
| Aliases | None known |
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1990 |
| Race / Sex | white / Male |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Eyes / Hair | brown / brown |
| Scars & Marks | None reported |
| Location | United States |
📋 Source: FBI Most Wanted — Pavel Vyacheslavovich Yershov
If you have information about this fugitive, contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
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