Russian GRU spy Pavel Rubtsov, also known as Pablo Gonzalez, has made headlines in Spanish media, which reveal intriguing details about his life post-prisoner exchange. Rubtsov, who posed as a journalist, was released back to Russia just two months ago, and he now resides in a prestigious Moscow district under strict surveillance by Russian authorities, ensuring he remains loyal to the Kremlin.
Rubtsov’s portrayal in the Russian media has shifted toward victimhood, with Russia’s state broadcaster Rossiya 1 airing an interview on August 9, in which he painted a grim picture of his treatment in Polish custody. Rubtsov claimed he faced intimidation and isolation before meeting his Spanish lawyer, adding that no formal charges were ever filed against him. According to Kremlin-backed narratives, his 900-day imprisonment in Poland is seen as an attack by Western powers on a “harmless journalist.”
Reports from Spanish sources, however, question his true value to the GRU, with some labeling him an “amateur” and an “unsuccessful recruitment project.” Despite this, he has received job offers from major Russian state outlets like RT and RIA Novosti, reinforcing his public image as a victim of Western “anti-Russian hysteria.”
A shadowy blend of complex personal relationships and professional allegiances adds to Rubtsov’s saga, raising questions about his connections to anti-Kremlin figures, including the late opposition leader Boris Nemtsov’s daughter, Zhanna. Spanish reports suggest that such ties may have once granted Rubtsov access to circles critical of the Kremlin, potentially fueling Russia’s efforts to portray him as both a martyr and a truth-seeker on Western soil.