Matvey Kozlov (Матвей Козлов, born April 6th 2009 - died October 8th 2049) was a Russian military veteran who worked as Director of Operational Security for Pokrov. Born in Tolyatti, he enlisted in the Russian military in 2028 and joined Vspyshka following his discharge in 2035.
Kozlov was headhunted by Pokrov in 2042 to form the basis of a new internal security team. His role was most visible as personal bodyguard of Yuri Golitsyn, which had caused a political dispute with Russian President Denis Molchalin due to Kozlov’s ties to the Frontoviki.
In 2049, the body of Kozlov was recovered in Dharwad, India. According to local authorities, he was pronounced dead at the scene from several gunshot wounds. It is currently unclear whether the incident is related to the assassination of Xu Shaoyong and Golitsyn.
Table of contents
Military career
Matvey Kozlov was born on April 6th 2009 in Tolyatti, Russia. After failing to find regular employment, he enlisted in the Russian military in 2028, eventually earning reassignment to the prestigious 3rd Special Purpose Brigade of the Spetsnaz GRU in 2030.
Details of Kozlov’s service record remain classified, though it is believed that he was active as a military advisor shortly before the Donbas Conflict, and continued to operate in the region throughout the war. [1] Following his discharge in 2035, Kozlov joined Vspyshka as a contractor.
Association with Frontoviki
At Vspyshka, Kozlov came into contact with Georgy Gritsenko, who founded the Frontoviki in 2039. Kozlov officially joined the Frontoviki in 2040, when the group acted as a political club for disaffected service members. As the Frontoviki began to coordinate rallies in cities across Russia, Kozlov was careful to avoid public appearances, preferring to provide behind-the-scenes support. His involvement with the Frontoviki ended in 2042, only weeks before Russian authorities arrested the group’s senior leadership following the Battle of 1905 Square.
Pokrov
Matvey Kozlov (left) and Yuri Golitsyn (right) at the Pokrov complex in 2047.
In 2043, Kozlov was one of several Vspyshka contractors headhunted by Pokrov to form the basis of a new internal security team. In 2046, he was promoted to the position of Director of Operational Security.
Kozlov began acting as personal bodyguard of Yuri Golitsyn in 2047, which led to a public argument between Golitsyn and Russian President Denis Molchalin, who chided Golitsyn for “the company he keeps.” This was seen as a veiled reference to Kozlov and his time in the Frontoviki, as the group was formed out of dissatisfaction with President Molchalin’s perceived appeasement of foreign powers. International observers have suggested that Golitsyn gave Kozlov a visible role in his entourage as a “taunt” to President Molchalin and a show of support to Russia’s far-right circles. [2]
On October 5th 2049, a Pokrov official indicated that Kozlov had not been seen for “several days,” giving rise to rumours that he may have been with Golitsyn aboard the helicopter of Xu Shaoyong when it was destroyed on October 1st 2049. Subsequent to this, President Molchalin initiated an investigative probe of Pokrov’s recent activities, which indicated that Kozlov travelled with Golitsyn and that he was stranded in China.
Death
Still from a livestream issued by Efua Amankwah-Crouse in 2049, showing the bodies of Matvey Kozlov (left) and Connie Muren (right).
On October 8th 2049, Efua Amankwah-Crouse issued a livestream from Dharwad, India to reveal the deaths of Kozlov and Connie Muren, claiming that Muren had been murdered by Kozlov before Amankwah-Crouse killed him in self-defence. [3] The incident is currently under investigation, including its possible connection to the assassination of Xu and Golitsyn.
The investigation has revealed the presence of high-tech anti-surveillance equipment at the murder scene, including baffles, collocidals, and high-speed delivery drones. This equipment has been linked to Pokrov, with investigators claiming that Kozlov was responsible for smuggling it to Dharwad.
See also
References
- Kirienko, V. (June 2032). “Individuals and entities in connection with Donbas war.” Mukh. ↩
- Vučković, H. (January 2048). “Yuri Golitsyn embraces far-right militants in challenge to Molchalin.” The Kiyv Independent. ↩
- Bauer, H. (October 2049). “Interpol reopens investigation into 2040 disappearance of Connie Muren.” Die Welt. ↩