Even as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine rages and Russia’s economy implodes, Russian Scientologists in Siberia are busy recruiting. Several Scientology executives were arrested in December 2025 for illegally recruiting.

In war where 1.2 million Russian soldiers have perished, Russian Scientologists are hustling for money and raw meat (raw meat is what Scientology calls new public recruited off the streets).

Scientology’s money extraction and human trafficking never ends under any conditions.

What to watch for: Will Scientologist and US Envoy to Belarus and Ukraine John Coale and the pro-cult USCRIF get involved and seek the release of the jailed Russian Scientologists?

It is worth noting that the arrests came on the heels of the Qilin ransomware attack on St. Hill. Did the Russians find something in St. Hill that lead to the arrests in Siberia? 

It is certain that Russian security forces seized the cellphones and laptops of the arrested Scientology executives as happened in Russia’s previous raids on Scientology Orgs in Russia.

Scientology’s bank accounts and other assets would have also been seized. 

Is Russia beginning to move in on Scientology?  

Izvestia:

Law enforcement agencies have detained functionaries of the International Church of Scientology in the Altai Territory (the ICC, the activities of two key Scientology organizations are recognized undesirable in Russia). This was announced on December 17 by a source of Izvestia.

“On December 17, 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted searches at the offices of functionaries of the secretive cell of the International Church of Scientology, K. Naumenko and A. Stupar,” the source said.

The news is being updated

Tass:

18 Dec 2025, 05:41

Scientology members arrested in Russia’s Altai region for illegal recruitment

Seeking to expand their influence and recruit new adherents, the suspects thought up a business scheme

BARNAUL, December 18. /TASS/. Members of the American Scientology sect, banned in Russia, who recruited representatives of the business community under the guise of business trainings, have been arrested in the Altai Region in southern Siberia, the website of the regional headquarters of the Russian National Guard reports.

“The detainees are long-time members of the American Scientology sect. Seeking to expand their influence and recruit new adherents, the suspects thought up a business scheme. Under the guise of lectures, seminars and consultations for the executives and staff of major regional companies, the sect members carried out their ‘training’ programs,” the statement reads.

According to investigators, the events were held not only to promote the Scientology ideology but also to establish control over people. After undergoing these “training” programs company employees allegedly could become dependent on the sect members, threatening their personal freedom and career.

The arrest was carried out with the participation of the OMON military special police units who provided forceful support to FSB officers. During searches, incriminating items were seized, including religious symbols, paraphernalia of undesirable NGOs and extremist literature. An investigation is currently underway to identify all individuals involved.

Russia Arrests Scientology Executives – December 2025

Timeline:

• November 9, 2025: John Coale appointed Special Envoy to Belarus
• December 4, 2025: Qilin claims St. Hill breach in ransomware attack
• December 17, 2025: FSB arrests Scientology executives in Altai region, Siberia
• December 2025: Coale openly discusses using Lukashenko as a back-channel to Putin

What happened:

Per TASS and Izvestia, Russian law enforcement (FSB officers with OMON military police support) arrested Scientology functionaries K. Naumenko and A. Stupar in Russia’s Altai Territory. The charges: illegal recruitment under the guise of business training seminars.

What was seized:

• Cellphones
• Laptops
• Bank accounts
• “Religious symbols, paraphernalia of undesirable NGOs and extremist literature”

Legal context:

• Two key Scientology organizations are designated “undesirable” in Russia
• Scientology is effectively banned
• The Russian Orthodox Church has long lobbied for restrictions

Why This Matters 

1. Demonstrates active Russian state interest in Scientology 

This isn’t historical context—it’s happening now. The FSB is actively targeting Scientology operations inside Russia, seizing devices and data.

2. The timing is notable

• St. Hill breach claimed: December 4, 2025
• Russian arrests: December 17, 2025

Thirteen days apart. Could be coincidence. Could reflect coordinated pressure.

3. Creates a diplomatic problem for Coale

If Coale—as a Scientologist and U.S. envoy to Belarus—advocates for imprisoned Russian Scientologists, he’s using his diplomatic position to advance the interests of his religious organization. If he stays silent, he’s abandoning co-religionists to protect his diplomatic role.

Either way, he’s compromised.

4. Device seizure = data acquisition

The FSB now has the cellphones and laptops of Scientology executives operating in Russia. Whatever communications, contacts, and files were on those devices are now in Russian intelligence hands—legally obtained through a criminal prosecution.

No ransomware required.