# Igor Danchenko: A Comprehensive Investigation Report [[Crossfire Hurricane]] ![[Igor Danchenko Headshot.png]] ## Background and Personal History Igor Yurievich Danchenko, born May 5, 1978, is a Russian citizen and U.S. resident who became the central figure in one of the most significant intelligence controversies of the modern era. Born in [[Ukraine]] but raised in Perm Oblast, Russia, [Danchenko graduated from the Law Faculty of Perm State University and later the University of Louisville in Kentucky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Danchenko). He earned a [master's degree from Georgetown University while working at the Brookings Institution](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Igor_Danchenko). Danchenko worked as a Eurasia political risk, defense, and economics analyst, spending crucial years from 2005 to 2010 at the prestigious Brookings Institution, where he [collaborated closely with Fiona Hill](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/1478808/who-is-igor-danchenko-the-steele-dossier-source-charged-by-john-durham/), who would later serve on Trump's National Security Council and testify during Trump's first impeachment proceedings. His early academic work included co-authoring research that [exposed Vladimir Putin's plagiarized dissertation](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/mar/24/20060324-104106-9971r/), finding that Putin had [copied substantial portions from American textbooks](https://www.interpretermag.com/it-looks-like-putin-wrote-just-a-couple-of-pages-of-his-thesis/). ## Relationship to Intelligence Agencies ### FBI Counterintelligence Investigation (2009-2011) The FBI's relationship with Danchenko was complex and troubling from the beginning. In 2009, the Bureau initiated a preliminary investigation into Danchenko after learning he ["had been identified as an associate of two FBI counterintelligence subjects and had previous contact with the Russian Embassy and known Russian intelligence officers"](https://www.imrussia.org/en/component/content/article?id=453). The investigation was elevated to a full counterintelligence probe when the FBI discovered that Danchenko had ["informed one Russian intelligence officer that he had interest in entering the Russian diplomatic service"](https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/fbi-paid-steele-dossier-source-accused-of-lying-as-a-confidential-informant-filing-reveals). However, in a critical oversight, the FBI closed this investigation in 2010 after incorrectly believing Danchenko had left the country. In reality, Danchenko remained in the Washington D.C. area and was even [arrested in Maryland in 2013 for drunk and disorderly conduct](https://highlandcountypress.com/opinions/how-fbi-lost-found-and-rewarded-alleged-russian-spy-pivotal-surveilling-trump). This arrest should have been easily discoverable through federal law enforcement databases, but the FBI analyst assigned to track Danchenko, [[Brian Auten]], [failed to locate him](https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2020/07/24/meet_steele_dossiers_primary_subsource_fabulist_russian_at_us_think_tank_whose_boozy_past_the_fbi_ignored_124601.html). ### Transformation to [[FBI]] Paid Informant (2017-2020) In an extraordinary reversal, the same FBI that had investigated Danchenko as a potential Russian spy later [recruited him as a paid confidential human source in March 2017](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-paid-igor-danchenko-more-200000-serve-confidential-human-source). From January 2017 through October 2020, Danchenko received [over $200,000 from the FBI](https://business.am-news.com/am-news/news/read/42751999/fbi_paid_igor_danchenko_more_than_$200), with some meetings paying up to $3,000 each. His FBI handler even requested an additional lump sum payment of $346,000 when Danchenko was terminated as a source, though this was ultimately rejected. FBI Special Agent [[Kevin Helson]], who managed Danchenko's case, testified that Danchenko ["had the most impressive network of sources of any informant he had encountered in his 20-year tenure at the FBI"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-agent-testifies-losing-danchenko-human-source-harms-us-national-security) and that losing him as an informant "harms U.S. national security". Danchenko's information reportedly contributed to approximately 25 FBI investigations. ### The Durham Report Revelations The [[Durham Report]] revealed the extent of FBI misconduct regarding Danchenko. Despite knowing about his previous counterintelligence concerns, the FBI [misled Department of Justice leadership in March 2017](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/194142/durhams-russiagate-claim-exposes-fbi-and-dojs-yearslong-misinformation-campaign/), describing him as a "Russian-based source" when they knew he lived in the Washington D.C. area. The FBI claimed they "had no control over the Russian-based sub-source" while simultaneously making him a paid informant. Special Counsel Durham found that the FBI's handling of Danchenko represented ["one of the most serious episodes of political weaponization in modern intelligence history"](https://thefederalist.com/2023/05/15/durham-report-fbi-proposed-paying-russia-collusion-hoaxer-igor-danchenko-to-silence-him-after-learning-he-lied/). ## Connection to the Steele Dossier ### Primary Sub-Source Role Danchenko served as [Christopher Steele's primary sub-source for the infamous Trump-Russia dossier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXZZcQbDa3Y). According to Durham's investigation, Danchenko told another person that he was responsible for ["80% of the 'intel' and 50% of the analysis contained in the Steele Dossier"](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/igor-danchenko-steele-dossier-tells-his-story-1235083023/). Steele contacted Danchenko around March 2016 and assigned him to gather information about Trump associates, particularly [Paul Manafort, Carter Page, and Michael Cohen](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2370420/primary-source-for-christopher-steeles-anti-trump-dossier-identified/). ### FBI's Knowledge of Unreliability During FBI interviews in January 2017, Danchenko revealed critical information that should have undermined the dossier's credibility: - He told FBI agents that most information he gathered was ["the product of casual conversation with people in his social circle"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Durham_Report.pdf/23) - He described his interactions with sub-sources as ["rumor and speculation" and conversations of a casual nature](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3482784/russiagate-definitive-timeline-how-new-intelligence-documents-fit-in/) - He could not provide any corroborating evidence to support the Steele allegations - Some of the most salacious allegations may have been made in ["jest"](https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-analyst-who-helped-compile-trump-russia-dossier-arrested-by-us-authorities/6300049.html) Despite these revelations, FBI Inspector General [[Michael Horowitz]] found that Danchenko's January 2017 interview ["raised doubts about the reliability of Steele's descriptions of information,"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/durham-addresses-fbi-as-the-elephant-in-the-room-says-bureau-failed-on-a-number-of-occasions) yet this crucial intelligence was omitted from subsequent FISA applications. ### Use in FISA Warrants The FBI continued to use the [[Steele Dossier]] to obtain and renew Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ([[FISA]]) warrants against [[Carter Page]] even after learning of its unreliability from Danchenko. The FISA applications incorrectly described Danchenko as a ["Russia-based source" when the FBI knew he lived in the Washington area](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/durham-indictment-danchenko-new-scrutiny-democrats-hyped-steele-dossier). ## FBI's Deliberate Concealment The Durham investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of FBI deception: - The FBI never informed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court about inconsistencies between Steele's and Danchenko's accounts - They concealed Danchenko's identity and his contradictory statements from DOJ leadership - They continued using the dossier despite knowing its primary source considered it unreliable - FBI analyst [[Brian Auten]], who failed to locate Danchenko in 2010, later secretly groomed him as an informant while hiding this from Baltimore counterintelligence agents ## Mainstream Media Influence ### Path to Public Discourse The intelligence from Danchenko made its way into mainstream media through multiple channels: 1. **Direct FBI Briefings**: The FBI briefed media outlets on the dossier's contents 2. **Political Figures**: Democratic leaders like [[Adam Schiff]] [consistently promoted the dossier](https://nypost.com/2021/11/08/turley-calls-brookings-institution-steele-dossier-nexus/) 3. **Think Tank Networks**: [The Brookings Institution connection provided academic credibility](https://nypost.com/2021/11/09/critic-durham-indictment-bad-news-for-dossier-believers/) 4. **BuzzFeed Publication**: The full dossier was published by BuzzFeed in January 2017, just days before Trump's inauguration ### Media Accountability The Durham investigation exposed how major media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, Mother Jones, McClatchy, and others ["showered credibility upon the dossier without corroboration"](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fusion-gpss-ties-to-clinton-campaign-russia-investigation-what-to-know). Following Danchenko's indictment, Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple acknowledged this was "bad news" for several media outlets that had "found other topics to cover when a forceful debunking arrived". ## Clinton Campaign Connections ### Fusion GPS and Democratic Funding The Steele dossier was funded by [Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steele_dossier) through law firm [[Perkins Coie]], which hired [[Fusion GPS]]. Fusion GPS then subcontracted [[Christopher Steele]], who employed Danchenko as his primary researcher. ### Charles Dolan Connection One of Danchenko's key sources was [[Charles Dolan]], [a longtime Democratic operative and Clinton ally](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/danchenko-trial-dem-operative-admits-lied-source-manafort-lewandowski-info-dossier) who had extensive ties to Russian officials and businesses. Dolan admitted during Durham's trial that he fabricated information he provided to Danchenko, including claims about [[Paul Manafort]] that he ["actually got off of cable news"](https://freebeacon.com/national-security/clinton-operative-linked-to-steele-dossier-did-not-disclose-work-for-russia-to-justice-department/). Dolan had [worked for Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom from 2006 to 2014](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/1375007/clinton-ally-lied-about-sourcing-for-anti-trump-dossier-claim-after-hearing-it-on-cable-news/) and maintained relationships with senior Russian government officials, including [[Vladimir Putin]]'s press secretary. ### Circular Reporting The Durham Report revealed that [[Nellie Ohr]], wife of DOJ official [[Bruce Ohr]], was working for Fusion GPS and provided reports that influenced Steele and Danchenko's targeting of specific individuals like [[Sergei Millian]]. [Bruce Ohr then pushed these reports to FBI investigators](https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/clinton-crony-linked-to-steele-dossier-and-russia-serves-on-taxpayer-funded-nonprofit-that-aims-to-build-resilient-democracies/), creating a [circular reporting structure that gave false corroboration to the dossier](https://headlineusa.com/fbis-back-door-link-to-fusion-gps-played-large-role-in-steele-dossier/). ## Identity Discovery and Exposure Danchenko's identity remained classified until July 2020, when [Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham released declassified FBI interview transcripts](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/secret-source-anti-trump-steele-dossier-revealed) with redacted names. Internet researchers, particularly through a blog called ["I Found the Primary Subsource," pieced together biographical details](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jul/26/igor-danchenko-outed-steele-dossier-source/) from the heavily redacted documents to identify Danchenko. The revelation was then confirmed by RT, the Kremlin-sponsored news organization, and subsequently by mainstream media. ## Criminal Charges and Trial ### Durham Indictment In November 2021, [Special Counsel John Durham indicted Danchenko on five counts](https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/04/politics/igor-danchenko-arrested) of making false statements to the FBI. The charges related to: 1. Concealing [[Charles Dolan]] as a source for dossier information 2. [Fabricating a phone call with Sergei Millian about a "conspiracy of cooperation" between Trump and Russia](https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/pr/russian-national-indicted-making-false-statements-fbi) ### Trial and Acquittal Danchenko's trial took place in Alexandria, Virginia, in October 2022. Before the jury deliberated, Judge Anthony Trenga dismissed one of the five charges, ruling that [Danchenko's statement about not "talking" to Charles Dolan was "literally true"](https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/18/politics/durham-investigation-danchenko-verdict-takeaways) since they had communicated in writing. On October 18, 2022, the jury [acquitted Danchenko on all remaining charges](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/10/18/federal-jury-acquits-Russian-analyst-Igor-Danchenko-lying-FBI/2901666139625) after approximately nine hours of deliberation. The acquittal was a [significant defeat for Durham's investigation](https://www.npr.org/2022/10/18/1129756772/steele-dossier-igor-danchenko-aquitted), marking his second trial loss. ### Defense Strategy Danchenko's defense team, led by Stuart Sears, argued that their client had always been honest about the speculative nature of his information and that Durham was ["cherry-picking facts" and trying to "concoct an anti-Trump conspiracy where none existed"](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/oct/18/igor-danchenko-primary-source-steele-dossier-acqui/). ## Political Connections and Bias ### Democratic Institutional Ties Danchenko's career was deeply embedded within Democratic-leaning institutions: - [Brookings Institution (2005-2010): A prominent liberal think tank](https://www.foxnews.com/media/gregg-jarrett-investigation-christopher-steele-dossier-igor-danchenko) - Close association with [[Fiona Hill]], who later testified against Trump - Connection to [[Strobe Talbott]], Brookings president and Clinton ally - [Relationship with Democratic operative Charles Dolan](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/danchenko-attempts-to-plead-not-guilty-released-without-electronic-monitor) ### Anti-Trump Sentiment While direct evidence of Danchenko's personal political views is limited, his professional associations and the nature of his work suggest alignment with anti-Trump sentiment. Charles Dolan testified that he had "fairly negative" opinions about Trump, and their correspondence showed Danchenko writing to Dolan: ["I am working on a related project against Trump. It is an important project for me... Our goals clearly coincide"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/igor-danchenko-trump-steele-dossier-not-guilty-durham-probe/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17). ## Current Status and Recent Developments ### Post-Trial Life Following his acquittal in October 2022, Danchenko has maintained a low public profile. He continues to reside in Virginia with his wife and children. No recent public statements or media interviews have been documented since his trial. ### Recent Intelligence Revelations In July 2025, Director of National Intelligence ([[DNI]]) [[Tulsi Gabbard]] declassified documents claiming that [Obama administration officials "manufactured" intelligence about Russian interference](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/explained-how-tulsi-gabbards-house-intelligence-committee-report-challenges-obama-officials-russia-narrative-and-gives-trump-new-ammunition/articleshow/122871475.cms) in the 2016 election. These revelations have [renewed scrutiny of the entire Russia investigation apparatus](https://www.aol.com/gabbard-releases-more-russia-documents-013634000.html), though they do not specifically focus on Danchenko's role. ### Durham Report Annex A previously classified annex to [[John Durham]]'s 2023 report was declassified in July 2025, revealing additional details about how the Clinton campaign orchestrated efforts to link Trump to Russia. The 24-page annex shows that the FBI failed to investigate credible intelligence indicating the Clinton campaign was "orchestrating a plan to link President Donald Trump to Russia falsely". ## Assessment and Implications Igor Danchenko represents a central figure in what Durham called one of the most serious episodes of political weaponization of intelligence in modern American history. His transformation from a suspected Russian intelligence asset to a paid FBI informant who provided unsubstantiated allegations against a presidential candidate reveals systemic failures within the U.S. intelligence community. The evidence suggests that Danchenko, while acquitted of criminal charges, served as a crucial conduit for politically motivated intelligence that influenced a presidential election, federal investigations, and public discourse. His story illustrates the complex intersection of foreign influence, domestic politics, and intelligence operations that characterized the 2016 election period. The broader implications extend beyond Danchenko himself, raising fundamental questions about the integrity of the FBI's counterintelligence operations, the reliability of the FISA system, and the role of think tanks and political operatives in shaping intelligence assessments that can influence American democracy.