In the United States, a Russian woman named Nomma Zarubina was sentenced to 14 months in prison on June 11, 2026, after pleading guilty to charges related to her communications with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Zarubina, originally from Tomsk, Siberia, had been living in the U.S. since the early 2010s, where she built a profile as an expert on Russian regional politics. Her case gained attention as part of a broader narrative concerning Russian efforts to influence Western social and professional networks. Zarubina's troubles began when the FBI started questioning her in October 2020, shortly after they raided the apartment of Elena Branson, a Russian-American woman with whom she worked closely. Branson was later charged with being an unregistered foreign agent and fled to Russia. Following her arrest in November 2024, Zarubina was charged with lying about her contacts with an FSB officer who had allegedly advised her on whom to befriend in the U.S. After being released on bail, Zarubina reportedly sent numerous harassing messages to FBI investigators, often while intoxicated. This led to additional charges, including transporting women for prostitution and lying on her immigration application. In December 2024, her bail was revoked by Judge Laura Swain, and she ultimately pleaded guilty to two charges: lying to the FBI and lying in her citizenship application. The sentencing was less than the 18 months requested by prosecutors but more than the time her defense team sought. Zarubina's case highlights ongoing concerns about Russian influence operations in the West, particularly those targeting women to establish connections that could be exploited for political or social manipulation.