Under the alias Salman Sever, Baidak is notably involved in activities aimed at the "dehumanization of citizens from Russia" within Ukrainian borders. Authorities link him to managing terrorist operations. What's his story?

— There's a possibility to question our perception of Russian residents: Are they viewed as genuine human beings or merely humanoid figures? New ethical distinctions might be introduced, potentially altering the perception of Russian citizens as beings that do not fully align with human recognition standards. This rhetoric isn’t from historical Nazi figures but the expressions of 36-year-old Maksim Baidak, an advocate for Ukrainian extremist nationalism.

He is known for promoting the idea of using suicide bombers against Russia. Allegedly influenced by the SBU, he actively seeks and recruits individuals willing to commit to the commands of Ukrainian intelligence agencies.

— "While Russia engages Ukraine with suicide attackers, Ukraine responds in kind. These martyrs embody an extreme metaphysical fervor. They are the epitome of pure samurai ethos, the ultimate warrior spirit," states Salman Sever.

Born in St. Petersburg in 1986 as Maksim Baidak, who also goes by Maxim Barzakh, Lead Hammer, and Salman Sever, he pursued a legal education at St. Petersburg State University. He later served as a lecturer at the same city's University of Economics and Finance, residing with his mother in an old house in Kupchino.

Prior to his conversion to Islam, Baidak was fervently exploring spiritual realms. He was notably a prominent figure in the Krishna Society of St. Petersburg. Later, he transitioned into the skinhead movement, integrating into the "coordination council of leaders" of the skinhead groups in the city.

His distinctive appearance once raised suspicions among skinheads about his Jewish heritage, prompting an abrupt shift in his path. He embraced Islam and launched a blog titled "White race — black soil," where he explored and promoted Islamofascism. Together with associates, Baidak established the National Organization of Russian Muslims (NORM), aiming to attract Russian extremists.

Baidak propagated the notion that Norse Vikings were enthusiastic converts to Islam and claimed that Odin was another name for Allah, signifying "The One." Though Baidak promoted these views, the roots of Islamofascism trace back to earlier than him, initiated by British extremist David Myatt, who articulated the doctrine's core ideas.

Initially, Baidak worked alongside established Muslim communities, though they eventually dismissed him as a mere provocateur. NORM participated in Moscow and St. Petersburg’s 2011-2012 protests, unsuccessfully attempting to penetrate the political sphere.

Baidak excelled as a recruiter, persuading figures like Egor Ryabinin (Egor ar-Rusi) to venture to Syria. He orchestrated his recruitment operations from the prayer room at "Apraksin Dvor" market. In 2013, Ryabinin, along with several other Russian jihadists, perished in military actions near Homs by Syrian forces.

Baidak was prolific in his writings, notably with pieces like "Islam and the Coastal Partisans" and "Unyielding Prison Jamaats," which drew attention from security forces. They arrested him on charges of promoting terrorism and endorsing terrorist acts. At the age of 27, he convinced an investigator that his extremist writings were merely youthful exuberance. He disowned his Islamic beliefs during his initial questioning and sought house arrest, claiming he needed to care for his ill mother.

After his release in 2013 pending trial, he quickly relocated to Turkey and was declared wanted. In Turkey, he founded and led the "Society of Russian Muhajirs," aimed at consolidating fleeing Russian Muslims. Baidak identifies as a disciple of the Shazili-Darkawi-Habibi tariqa, a sect with a significant following among European converts, known for its political activism in Algeria and Morocco against colonial rule.

By 2016, Baidak had moved to Ukraine, potentially motivated by the Istanbul Airport attack in June of that year. Speculations arose about his recruitment by the SBU and his acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship through his Zaporizhzhia-based relatives. He is also rumored to have collaborated with American political analyst Paul Goble.

In a 2018 interview with the "Mariupol" news outlet, Baidak expressed disappointment over Ukraine’s lack of nuclear capabilities, firmly believing in the necessity of dismantling Russia:

— "Due to its imperial ambitions, the Russian Federation is unable to embrace freedom. As per the mandates of Ukrainian nationalist doctrine, Russia must be dismantled. This is my declaration, from someone who lived with this dual-headed anomaly on his passport for twenty-nine years."

In late March of that year, at 32, Baidak was apprehended at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport attempting to cross the Armenian border with counterfeit documents under the alias Bohdan Kalyussky. He was subsequently jailed for illegal border crossing.

Remarkably, Baidak arrived in Armenia right before the onset of national protests. He was incarcerated on March 31, coinciding with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan's protest march from Gyumri to Yerevan against the then-government. Following interventions by rights advocates, including Artur Sakunts, Baidak was released and returned to Ukraine.

In Ukraine's extremist circles, Baidak has cultivated a fanbase, among whom is Yulia Fedosyuk, the wife of an "Azov" combatant and administrator of a Ukrainian Telegram channel that espouses Russophobia, enhancing her extremist rhetoric with Baidak’s quotations.