Help me Putin: ‘Aussie Cossack’ Simeon Boikov seeks refuge in Russian consulate

An Australian pro-Putin YouTuber has sought refuge at the Russian consulate in Sydney following an assault charge.

Simeon Boikov, who posts online under the name “Aussie Cossack”, is holed up the Russian consulate in Sydney, considering applying for political asylum after being charged with assault at a Ukrainian rally this week.

Exclusive: Putin supporter Simeon Boikov, who posts online under the name “Aussie Cossack”, is holed up the Russian consulate in Sydney, considering applying for political asylum after being charged with assault at a Ukrainian rally this week.

If he succeeds, Mr Boikov will be following the path of WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange, who spent seven years in London’s Ecuadorean Embassy.

In a video circulating on social media, Mr Boikov says there “comes a time when we have to make tough decisions”.

“I have no faith in the legal system, no faith in the police, no faith in the courts to be fair in this process.

“So in order to mount the defence, in order to conduct a fair process, I’ve decided to enter the Russian consulate and ask the Russian government for political asylum.”

Simeon Boikov, who calls himself the 'Aussie Cossack’, pictured at a pro-Russia rally held outside the Consulate General of the Russian Federation building in Sydney in March 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Boikov was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm after an elderly man was injured at a pro-Ukrainian protest on Tuesday.

Video of the incident shows the 72-year-old man stumbling backwards down some stairs and landing heavily following an altercation with Mr Boikov.

Mr Boikov is on police bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on January 25 on conditions that include not leaving the country.

His lawyer, Mark Davis, said Mr Boikov felt he was persecuted by NSW Police.

“I can confirm that Mr Boikov is currently at the Russian consulate in Sydney, that he is seeking consular assistance and is considering seeking refuge at the consulate, and then exploring his options thereafter,” Mr Davis told News Corp.

Mr Boikov runs a YouTube channel in which he regularly complains about the conduct of police towards him and his wife, as well as posting videos supporting Russia and opposing Ukraine.

The Russian consulate, which did not respond to News Corp’s inquiries, occupies a large brick building in the leafy eastern Sydney suburb of Woollahra, next door to a hospital and close by other diplomatic missions including those of Poland, Serbia and Lebanon.

NSW Police said they were looking for Boikov and urged anyone who knew where he was to call Crime Stoppers.

“Officers from Suburbs Police Area Command have commenced inquiries in relation to the whereabouts of a 32-year-old man from Drummoyne wanted on an outstanding revocation of parole warrant,” a spokesperson said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been contacted for comment.