For years, Bäckman has actively submitted stories to the Russian media that smear Finland and other Western countries.
Known for his connections to Russia Johan Bäckman has received Russian citizenship. Among others, a Russian will tell about it Kommersant newspaper on its website and the state news agency TASS on his Telegram channel referring to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin to sign the decree.
Docent Johan Bäckman has declared himself the ambassador of the Russian-occupied separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in Finland and offered them communication support.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, Bäckman has close connections with the Russian authorities, and has for years actively delivered For VGTRK (the Russian state television and radio company) stories that slander Finland and other western countries.
In 2022, the Supreme Court sentenced Bäckman’s reporter to a suspended sentence Jessica Aron stalking.