Fake Independent Journalist from 2020 Artsakh War Exposed as Russian Spy

Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) are disturbed to learn that the man they knew as a Spanish independent journalist named Pablo Gonzalez was among the prisoners seen returning to Russia following the historic exchange between Russia and the West. For many, especially those from Nagorno-Karabakh, his story is unsettling.

Pablo Gonzalez reporting from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020 during the 44-day war. Photo courtesy of RFE/RL Armenia

In a recent prisoner swap between Russia and the West, a figure emerged on the tarmac in Russia, greeted by President Vladimir Putin himself. Among the individuals returning home were convicted spies and a notorious assassin. However, one individual caught the eye of Armine, an ethnic Armenian who has been forcibly displaced from the Republic of Artsakh also known as Nagorno-Karabakh. Armine, who spoke to RFE/RL's Armenian Service under a pseudonym for security reasons, watched in disbelief as the footage showed a familiar face: Pablo Gonzalez, a man she had met years ago in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pablo Gonzalez, also known as Pavel Rubtsov, getting off a plane in Russia on August 1 in prisoner swap with the West. The group was greeted on the tarmac by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo courtesy of RFE/RL Armenia

Armine’s recollection of Pablo Gonzalez was not of a spy, but of a Spanish journalist who frequently visited the region, particularly during times of rising tension. "I met Pablo about 10 years ago," she shared. He had introduced himself as a journalist eager to cover the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, interview local officials, and understand the conflict firsthand. Gonzalez’s presence in the region seemed innocent enough at the time, and he was even warmly received by the usually cautious Karabakh authorities. 

Russian passport of Pavel Rubstov, also known as Pablo Gonzalez as an alleged Russian spy. Photo courtesy of Público

The man Armine recognized was not just any journalist. Pablo Gonzalez, known in his Russian passport as Pavel Rubtsov, was later arrested in Poland in 2022 on charges of espionage for the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU. This revelation came as a shock to many who had interacted with him during his time in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Gonzalez's story is a complex one. Born in Russia to a family with communist ties, he later moved to Spain with his mother, where he built a life as a freelance journalist. His background allowed him to blend into different cultures and environments easily, which made him an effective agent for the GRU. His work as a journalist provided the perfect cover for his espionage activities, allowing him to gather information from various sources without raising suspicion.

Pablo Gonzalez in Nagorno-Karabakh during 2020 Artsakh War Holding an Eldery Woman's Hand Who Is Holding a Rifle

Gonzalez's presence in Nagorno-Karabakh was particularly notable. He was not just another foreign journalist; he was a man who seemed to thrive in conflict zones. His appetite for covering war was evident, and his actions during his time in the region left an impression on those who met him. Sergey Shahverdian, the former director of Stepanakert's Hotel Europe, where Gonzalez stayed during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, described him as someone who "was not afraid of war at all." Unlike many journalists who might avoid the frontlines, Gonzalez rushed towards them, showing resilience that earned him respect among the locals.

Pablo Gonzalez's press badge issued by Armenia. Photo courtesy of RFE/RL Armenia

However, Gonzalez’s true mission in the region was far more sinister than anyone could have anticipated. Using his journalistic status, he was able to gather intelligence on Armenian military and political activities, information that would have been of great interest to his handlers in the GRU. His ability to speak Russian fluently, coupled with his deep understanding of the region, made him an invaluable asset to Russian intelligence.

Gonzalez’s double life came crashing down in February 2022, shortly after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. He was arrested by Polish authorities in the border town of Przemysl, a critical transit point for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict. Poland’s counterintelligence agency accused Gonzalez of using his journalistic cover to spy for Russia. The arrest drew attention from international intelligence communities, with the head of Britain’s MI6, Richard Moore, later confirming that Gonzalez was a deep-cover spy involved in efforts to destabilize Ukraine.

Following his arrest, Polish prosecutors formally indicted Gonzalez, charging him with supplying the GRU with information that was potentially harmful to Poland and NATO. Despite these serious charges, the recent prisoner swap has placed Gonzalez beyond the reach of Polish authorities, and he has now returned to Russia.

Upon his return to Russia, Gonzalez was welcomed back as a hero. President Putin personally greeted him on the tarmac, shaking his hand warmly. Gonzalez, wearing a Star Wars T-shirt with the writing “Your Empire Needs You…”, seemed unfazed by the dramatic turn of events in his life. The Russian government has since lauded him and his fellow returnees, with Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, stating that they would soon be "back to work."

Pablo Gonzalez poses in front of the monument known as "Tatik-Papik" (Grandmother and Grandfather") in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo courtesy of RFE/RL Armenia

Both Armenian and foreign journalists who interacted with Gonzalez described him as cheerful, humorous, and quick to make friends—a person who enjoyed noisy gatherings where he often displayed his tattoos. One of these tattoos was of "Tatik-Papik" ("Grandmother and Grandfather"), a statue widely regarded as a symbol of Karabakh. Gonzalez claimed that the Karabakh war was close to his heart, which is why he had the tattoo.

He introduced himself as Basque and an independent journalist, speaking only English with local photographers and working alone without accompaniment. These personal connections further deepened the trust placed in him, allowing Gonzalez to move freely and gather information without raising suspicion.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives an interview to alleged Russian spy Pablo Gonzalez, who represented the Spanish news agency EFE, in Yerevan in October 2020.

Gonzalez’s interest extended beyond the battlefield. He was deeply engaged in Armenia's domestic political affairs, particularly in the country's relations with its neighbors. During the 2020 war, he secured an interview with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on behalf of the Spanish news agency EFE. This interview, the only known face-to-face interaction Gonzalez had with a head of government, touched on the course of the war and Russia's role in supporting Armenia.

Gonzalez also questioned Pashinyan about the deployment of Russian border guards along the border between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. However, this line of questioning was notably absent from both the EFE report and the official transcript released by Pashinyan's office. Russian state-run media later highlighted this omission, suggesting that Gonzalez had shared this portion of the interview with them privately.

Following the war, Gonzalez continued to monitor Armenia's political landscape, including during the 2021 snap parliamentary elections. His focus also included Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and its energy cooperation with Russia. On his Spanish-language website, Gonzalez published detailed information about the nuclear power plant, its operations, and the strategic importance of Armenia's energy relationship with Russia.

Gonzalez's story raises numerous questions about the complex relationship between journalism and espionage. How many others like him might be out there, using their status as journalists to carry out covert missions for their governments? For the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and others who encountered Gonzalez, the revelation of his true identity is a sobering reminder of the murky waters of international politics.