Russian sovereign wealth fund suspends internships amid fears of leaker after Navalny team exposes wealth of CEO Kirill Dmitriev, a key figure in talks with U.S.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the sovereign wealth fund led by Kirill Dmitriev, who has been a key player in negotiations with the Trump administration, has suspended its internship program, Novaya Gazeta reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The program, which offered students from select Moscow universities the opportunity to apply for internships through a simplified process, had been running for several years. It remains unclear when the program will resume. Students have been notified that the summer 2025 intake has been postponed.
One source indicated that RDIF has launched "internal checks" and is investigating a potential "leak" after the Navalny-founded Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) published an investigation into Dmitriev.
“RDIF thinks they’ve got a mole. So for now, they’re not taking on anyone new. There’s just no time or staff to deal with students right now,” the source told Novaya Gazeta Europe.
Another source said that hiring of new staff has also been suspended during the internal investigation. The last job posting — an administrative assistant role — went up on April 9. When Novaya Gazeta Europe inquired about the status of the position, the fund confirmed it was no longer reviewing new applications and suggested applicants check the job listings site HeadHunter and "wait to hear back if the vacancy becomes available again."
On April 1, the FBK released an investigation into Dmitriev and his family. Among other things, it asserted that the RDIF head and his relatives own real estate in Russia and abroad worth 7.5 billion rubles ($92.3 million).
