Latest news with #Cherkasov
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Russian ‘Spy Factory' in Brazil Exposed: What We Know
A Russian "spy factory" operating out of Brazil has been dismantled by counterintelligence agents who unmasked at least nine operatives living in the country for years under false identities—using it as a launchpad to train novice spies who would then infiltrate the West and elsewhere. A team of federal agents from Brazil has been covertly unraveling the Russian spy ring, which used the country as an "assembly line for deep-cover operatives," according to a New York Times investigation published on Wednesday. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment by email. Agentstvo, an independent investigative Russian news outlet, described the exposé on Thursday as "one of the biggest failures of the Russian intelligence services" comparable to when a network of 11 spies was exposed in the U.S. 15 years ago. Brazilian counterintelligence agents uncovered at least nine Russian officers operating under cover identities over the past three years. Six of them had never been publicly identified until now, the Times reported. The unmasking began in April 2022, weeks into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when the CIA alerted Brazil's Federal Police to Victor Muller Ferreira, real name, Sergey Cherkasov. He had just landed an internship at the International Criminal Court in The Hague as it was about to start investigating Russia for war crimes in Ukraine. Cherkasov, who was admitted to Johns Hopkins University's graduate school in Washington, D.C., in 2018, is currently serving a five-year prison term in Brazil for document forgery. Authorities say that Cherkasov, who spent nearly a decade building a fake identity as his alias Ferreira, is a spy for the Russian military intelligence agency, GRU. He had spent seven to eight years in Brazil building up his cover identity, but when he arrived in the Netherlands, Dutch authorities denied him entry and sent him back to São Paulo. His Brazilian passport and other identifying documents checked out, but when police found his birth certificate his story and Russia's operation in Brazil began to fall apart. The certificate stated that he was born in 1989 in Rio de Janeiro to a Brazilian mother, a real woman who died in 1993. But when agents tracked down her family, they learned she never had a child. Authorities couldn't find anyone who matched the name listed as his father on the document. Intelligence agents then began looking for other so-called "ghosts" in Brazil under an investigation dubbed Operation East. "Everything started with Sergey," a senior Brazilian official told the publication. Intelligence experts assessed that perhaps Russian authorities ordered many of the suspected spies named in the investigation home as the world shifted its focus on Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Only Cherkasov was prosecuted and sentenced in Brazil. Some of the others are thought to have been recalled to Russia before they had perfected their cover identities. Agentstvo reported Thursday that Russian spy Olga Tyutereva, for example, has since returned to Russia and is using her real name and working as a teacher in the Magadan region. Agentstvo said it found digital traces in Russia of three more spies from the list published in the Times. An FBI affidavit states that in his two years in Washington, Cherkasov filed reports to the GRU on how senior Biden administration officials were responding to the build-up of Russia's military near the Ukrainian border before Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Jane Bradley, co-author of the Times investigation, told NPR that Brazil has a "very multicultural, diverse population" and so "it's easy for anyone to blend in." "The second thing is that Brazilian passports are, you know, one of the most useful and powerful passports in the world. It gets you into a lot of countries without a visa, so it's a very powerful, useful passport to have." "And then the other point is more interesting and more complex, which is the Brazilian ID system. How you obtain birth certificates basically has an exemption—a loophole, if you like—that makes it easier to apply for a birth certificate than most other countries elsewhere," she added. The spies are unlikely to work abroad again with their covers blown, the Times reported. Related Articles Russian Intelligence Attack on NATO 'Logistics and Technology' ExposedMarco Rubio Refuses To Call Putin 'War Criminal', After Grilling Rex TillersonUS and Russia Flex Military Muscles on Same StageNATO Shows Force on Northern Flank with Russia as US Pulls Back 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russian 'Spy Factory' in Brazil Exposed: What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Russian "spy factory" operating out of Brazil has been dismantled by counterintelligence agents who unmasked at least nine operatives living in the country for years under false identities—using it as a launchpad to train novice spies who would then infiltrate the West and elsewhere. A team of federal agents from Brazil has been covertly unraveling the Russian spy ring, which used the country as an "assembly line for deep-cover operatives," according to a New York Times investigation published on Wednesday. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment by email. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a TV interview at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 12, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a TV interview at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 12, 2024. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP/Getty Images Why It Matters Agentstvo, an independent investigative Russian news outlet, described the exposé on Thursday as "one of the biggest failures of the Russian intelligence services" comparable to when a network of 11 spies was exposed in the U.S. 15 years ago. Brazilian counterintelligence agents uncovered at least nine Russian officers operating under cover identities over the past three years. Six of them had never been publicly identified until now, the Times reported. Бразилия раскрыла сеть из девяти российских агентов. Это один из крупнейших провалов российских спецслужб Бразильские спецслужбы раскрыли сеть из девяти законспирированных шпионов. Этот провал российских спецслужб сопоставим с провалом 2010 года, когда в США раскрыли ячейку из… — Новости «Агентства» (@agents_media) May 21, 2025 What To Know The unmasking began in April 2022, weeks into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when the CIA alerted Brazil's Federal Police to Victor Muller Ferreira, real name, Sergey Cherkasov. He had just landed an internship at the International Criminal Court in The Hague as it was about to start investigating Russia for war crimes in Ukraine. Cherkasov, who was admitted to Johns Hopkins University's graduate school in Washington, D.C., in 2018, is currently serving a five-year prison term in Brazil for document forgery. Authorities say that Cherkasov, who spent nearly a decade building a fake identity as his alias Ferreira, is a spy for the Russian military intelligence agency, GRU. He had spent seven to eight years in Brazil building up his cover identity, but when he arrived in the Netherlands, Dutch authorities denied him entry and sent him back to São Paulo. His Brazilian passport and other identifying documents checked out, but when police found his birth certificate his story and Russia's operation in Brazil began to fall apart. The certificate stated that he was born in 1989 in Rio de Janeiro to a Brazilian mother, a real woman who died in 1993. But when agents tracked down her family, they learned she never had a child. Authorities couldn't find anyone who matched the name listed as his father on the document. Intelligence agents then began looking for other so-called "ghosts" in Brazil under an investigation dubbed Operation East. "Everything started with Sergey," a senior Brazilian official told the publication. Intelligence experts assessed that perhaps Russian authorities ordered many of the suspected spies named in the investigation home as the world shifted its focus on Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Only Cherkasov was prosecuted and sentenced in Brazil. Some of the others are thought to have been recalled to Russia before they had perfected their cover identities. Agentstvo reported Thursday that Russian spy Olga Tyutereva, for example, has since returned to Russia and is using her real name and working as a teacher in the Magadan region. Agentstvo said it found digital traces in Russia of three more spies from the list published in the Times. An FBI affidavit states that in his two years in Washington, Cherkasov filed reports to the GRU on how senior Biden administration officials were responding to the build-up of Russia's military near the Ukrainian border before Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Why Brazil? Jane Bradley, co-author of the Times investigation, told NPR that Brazil has a "very multicultural, diverse population" and so "it's easy for anyone to blend in." "The second thing is that Brazilian passports are, you know, one of the most useful and powerful passports in the world. It gets you into a lot of countries without a visa, so it's a very powerful, useful passport to have." "And then the other point is more interesting and more complex, which is the Brazilian ID system. How you obtain birth certificates basically has an exemption—a loophole, if you like—that makes it easier to apply for a birth certificate than most other countries elsewhere," she added. What Happens Next The spies are unlikely to work abroad again with their covers blown, the Times reported.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rakovina Therapeutics Congratulates Scientific Advisor Dr. Artem Cherkasov on Global Recognition for Breakthrough AI Innovation in Drug Discovery
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: RKV) (FSE: 7JO), a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative cancer therapies through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drug discovery, is pleased to congratulate its Scientific Advisor and collaborator, Dr. Artem Cherkasov, on his recent global recognition as a leader in AI-driven therapeutic development. Dr. Cherkasov, a professor at the University of British Columbia and a principal investigator with the Vancouver Prostate Centre, was recently featured by the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) in an article titled 'AI innovation puts VCHRI scientist at forefront of global drug discovery avenues.' The feature highlights his groundbreaking contributions to the use of artificial intelligence in computational drug modeling and the development of the Deep Docking™ platform—an AI engine capable of screening billions of molecules to identify the most promising drug candidates with speed and precision. As a key scientific advisor to Rakovina Therapeutics, Dr. Cherkasov plays an integral role in guiding the company's AI-driven discovery efforts. Rakovina holds exclusive access to the Deep Docking™ platform for the development of novel DNA-damage response (DDR) inhibitors—an approach designed to accelerate therapeutic discovery and improve treatment outcomes for cancers with limited options. 'Dr. Cherkasov's global recognition is a well-earned reflection of his pioneering spirit and the transformative power of AI in oncology drug development,' said Jeffrey Bacha, executive chairman of Rakovina Therapeutics. 'Our collaboration with Dr. Cherkasov allows us to integrate cutting-edge AI into our discovery engine, positioning Rakovina at the forefront of innovation in targeted cancer therapy.' Rakovina Therapeutics remains committed to leveraging world-class science and technology to develop new treatments for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. The company is proud to partner with Dr. Cherkasov in this mission. About Rakovina Therapeutics Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments. Our work is based on unique technologies for targeting the DNA-damage response powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) using the proprietary Deep-Docking™ and Enki™ platforms. By using AI, we can review and optimize drug candidates at a much greater pace than ever before. The Company has established a pipeline of distinctive DNA-damage response inhibitors with the goal of advancing one or more drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners. Further information may be found at Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Rakovina Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes forward-looking statements regarding the company and its respective business, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed business plan of the company and other statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'is expected,' 'expects,' 'scheduled,' 'intends,' 'contemplates,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'proposes' or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events, or results 'may,' 'could,' 'would,' 'might,' or 'will' be taken, occur, or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of the company. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, including risks regarding the medical device industry, economic factors, regulatory factors, the equity markets generally, and risks associated with growth and competition. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated, or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The reader is referred to the company's most recent filings on SEDAR for a more complete discussion of all applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the company's profile page at For Further Information Contact:Michelle Seltenrich, BSc MBADirector, Corporate DevelopmentIR@
Chicago Tribune
11-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Skokie's Illinois Holocaust Museum to close during expansion, will add downtown Chicago site
Some big changes, in the form of construction, expansion, temporary closure and a satellite site, are coming to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie. Bernard Cherkasov, the museum's CEO, announced the Skokie museum will temporarily close in July for construction work to expand the museum and add an auditorium and other features. A satellite location in downtown Chicago will display some popular exhibits. To facilitate the construction process, the museum announced the Skokie building will be closed for about a year during construction, starting in July. There will be a partial reopening of the museum in January 2026 and a full reopening at the end of summer in 2026. 'We're doing quite a big renovation,' said CEO Bernard Cherkasov. 'We are expanding our visitor welcome center. We're building new bathrooms. We're building a brand-new, state-of-the-art auditorium. We are adding spaces for reflection.' The decision was made to close the museum during the renovation because, 'Some of this is going to be loud, dusty, disruptive work,' Cherkasov said. 'We felt that to continue to provide a world-class experience for our visitors, it is easier to shut down the museum for a short period of time.' Cherkasov noted that a large welcome center is needed because of how much attendance has increased at the museum. He reported that in the past two years, the museum has beat its single day visitation record five times. The welcome center will allow room for visitors to purchase tickets or wait to have their questions answered. That increased attendance also means that additional bathrooms are necessary. Cherkasov said the museum doesn't yet know the cost details of the expansion and construction project because they haven't gotten the construction bids yet. Once they have created a complete budget, they will share it and report how the expenses will be paid, he said. The museum will open a temporary downtown Chicago satellite location in July for about a year, at the former site of the Broadcast Museum. 'This year we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and the end of World War II,' Cherkasov said. 'It feels like the world that we live in needs the lessons from the Holocaust now more urgently than ever before. To be able to open a satellite downtown where we can reach new audiences who haven't been able to come see our contents in Skokie sounds like an amazing opportunity for us.' Visitors to the satellite location will see Holocaust survivor holography, virtual reality films, and stories of survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides, 'showing our shared humanity,' Cherkasov said. The Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois was started by Holocaust survivors in 1981. It later became the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rakovina Therapeutics to Participate in BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: RKV), a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative cancer therapies through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drug discovery, today announced its participation in the BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference on February 1, 2025. This premier event, hosted at the University of British Columbia (UBC), unites academic researchers, biotech innovators, and industry professionals to foster collaboration and showcase innovative life sciences advancements. The BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference provides a unique platform for exploring emerging trends in biotechnology and fostering partnerships between academia and industry. Through an interactive panel discussion, Rakovina Therapeutics, a collaborator with UBC, will highlight its groundbreaking work in developing therapies targeting DNA-damage response (DDR) mechanisms using AI platforms such as Deep Docking™ and Variational AI. These technologies enable the rapid identification and optimization of novel drug candidates, slashing traditional discovery timelines from years to months. Collaboration with UBC and Dr. Artem CherkasovRakovina's strategic partnership with UBC is a cornerstone of its innovative approach to cancer treatment. Dr. Artem Cherkasov, a UBC professor and a pioneering leader in computational drug discovery, serves on Rakovina's advisory board. Dr. Cherkasov was instrumental in developing the first-generation Deep Docking™ platform, which identified a compound licensed to Roche in a $142 million deal—the largest in UBC history. This success laid the foundation for Rakovina's exclusive access to the second-generation Deep Docking™ platform, enabling the company to rapidly screen billions of compounds and identify promising candidates for hard-to-treat cancers, such as breast, ovarian, prostate, and brain cancers. Dr. Jeffrey Bacha, Executive Chairman of Rakovina Therapeutics, commented:'We are thrilled to participate in the BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference and to share our progress in leveraging AI to revolutionize cancer treatment. Our collaboration with UBC and Dr. Cherkasov has been pivotal in driving innovation and accelerating the discovery of therapies targeting critical vulnerabilities in cancer cells. We look forward to engaging with fellow innovators at this event to explore future opportunities for collaboration.' AI's Transformative Role in Cancer ResearchThe importance of AI in revolutionizing cancer treatment was recently underscored by Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison at the announcement of a $500 billion investment in AI innovation. Ellison remarked, 'One of the most exciting things we're working on… is a cancer vaccine. You can do early cancer detection with a blood test. And using AI to look at the blood test, you can find the cancers that are actually seriously threatening the person. So, again, cancer diagnosis using AI has the promise of just being a simple blood test.'1 During the conference, Rakovina will showcase its advancements in the $18 billion DDR therapy market, including its recent milestone of identifying AI-generated compounds with CNS penetration capabilities. These breakthroughs underline Rakovina's mission to address unmet medical needs and improve outcomes for patients with limited treatment options. About the BioInnovate UBC Annual ConferenceThe BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to promote collaboration across disciplines and industries. As a participant, Rakovina Therapeutics aims to engage with the academic and biotech communities to further innovation and create meaningful partnerships. For more information about the BioInnovate UBC Annual Conference, visit About Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. Rakovina Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments. Our work is based on unique technologies for targeting the DNA-damage response powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) using the proprietary Deep-Docking™ platform. By using AI, we can review and optimize drug candidates at a much greater pace than ever before. The Company has established a pipeline of distinctive DNA-damage response inhibitors with the goal of advancing one or more drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners. Further information may be found at Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Rakovina Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes forward-looking statements regarding the company and its respective business, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed business plan of the company and other statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'is expected,' 'expects,' 'scheduled,' 'intends,' 'contemplates,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'proposes' or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events, or results 'may,' 'could,' 'would,' 'might,' or 'will' be taken, occur, or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of the company. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, including risks regarding the medical device industry, economic factors, regulatory factors, the equity markets generally, and risks associated with growth and competition. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated, or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The reader is referred to the company's most recent filings on SEDAR for a more complete discussion of all applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the company's profile page at For Further Information Contact:Michelle Seltenrich, BSc MBADirector, Corporate DevelopmentIR@ 1https:// in to access your portfolio
