@chowderman Ponomarev used to be left/libertarian. Popkov started as a National Socialist in his youth, moved on to National Bolsheviks, headed Moscow branch, had a falling out. Then worked for Khodorkovsky (left/liberal). Also worked as a journalist. He “developed” over time. Its not unusual. A Ukrainian left wing academic Anton Shekhovtzov, often quoted by western sources as an expert on the Ukrainian far right started of in Crimea as a fascist supporter of Dugin.