U.S. authorities have arrested Nomma Zarubina, a Russian national accused of secretly working with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). Known by the code name “Alisa,” Zarubina allegedly concealed her ties to the FSB while living in the United States. The FBI claims that Zarubina had been participating in anti-Putin events on behalf of the Russian government, gathering information and passing it to her FSB handlers.
Zarubina, who was born in Siberia in 1990, moved to the U.S. in 2016 after completing her studies in geopolitics and international security in Russia. In New York, she married an American, had a child, and began working at the Russian Cultural Center (RCNY), where she organized the annual “Immortal Regiment” march to honor Russian soldiers from WWII. This event was significant because the center itself had ties to the Russian government, and its founder, Elena Branson, was seen as a pro-Kremlin figure.
The FBI’s investigation into the center escalated in 2020 when they accused Branson of working for the Russian government without registering as an agent, a requirement under U.S. law. Branson fled to Russia, but Zarubina stayed behind in the U.S., continuing to travel back to Russia even after the war in Ukraine began in 2022. That’s when the FBI started to dig deeper.
In December 2020, during a trip to Russia, Zarubina met an FSB agent. He reportedly asked her to cooperate with the Russian government and assigned her the code name “Alisa.” Zarubina was instructed to build relationships with U.S.-based experts and journalists, gathering personal information and promoting Russian interests. While publicly appearing to support Russia’s opposition, Zarubina was secretly working for the FSB, using her connections in the U.S. to further their agenda.
Zarubina’s social media posts tell a different story. Before 2022, she posted patriotic images, including photos with Russian officials, and even wore a T-shirt with the letters “KGB” emblazoned on it. But in 2022, her online presence changed dramatically. She began posting about opposing Putin’s regime and denouncing Russia’s government. To those who had known her, her sudden transformation was suspicious.
In 2023, a Russian activist named Dmitry Valuev noticed that Zarubina was making strange connections with American experts on Russia and national security, raising questions about her true loyalties. The FBI began investigating further, and they uncovered evidence on her phone that linked her to the FSB. They found communications and photos related to her secret assignments.
Zarubina’s story became even more complicated when she was questioned by the FBI. Initially, she denied any connection to Russian intelligence. However, as investigators pressed her, she began to reveal more about her involvement. She eventually admitted that she had been recruited by the FSB and had used encrypted messaging to communicate with Russian agents. She also acknowledged that her role included meeting with American think tanks and journalists, feeding them information, and promoting Russia’s interests in the U.S.
Despite these admissions, Zarubina still claims she wasn’t truly recruited by the FSB, but was only being “assessed” for her potential to work with them. She also insists she never considered herself a spy. She describes her growing interest in American experts as a way to improve her language skills, but many find this explanation hard to believe.
Zarubina’s arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle between the U.S. and Russia, especially as tensions over the war in Ukraine continue to rise. She faces charges of lying to the FBI about her ties to Russian intelligence, a crime that could send her to prison for up to five years. The court has set her bail at $25,000, but her passport has been confiscated, and her movement is restricted as she awaits trial.
The case raises serious questions about how foreign agents could be operating in the U.S. under the radar. It also highlights the ongoing influence of the Russian government abroad and how individuals like Zarubina may be used to infiltrate opposition groups, gather intelligence, and promote Russian propaganda. As the investigation continues, more revelations could emerge, but for now, Zarubina’s arrest has left many wondering how deep the FSB’s influence goes in the U.S.
