International Media Group Rossiya Segodnya is the founder and sole owner of the Armenian branch, Rosiya Segodnya MTG, which is responsible for Sputnik Armenia’s editorial content and local presence. Established by presidential decree in December 2013 as a merger of RIA Novosti and Voice of Russia, Rossiya Segodnya functions as a major Russian state media conglomerate with a global network and the express mission to promote a positive image of Russia abroad. The Armenian branch, registered in 2014, was created to extend these objectives within Armenia through radio, digital, and multimedia activity. The parent organisation’s charter and affiliated Armenian branch statutes specify the prompt and comprehensive collection and dissemination of news about events in Armenia and the support of cultural and informational ties, while editorial policies remain aligned with Russian government narratives and interests. Rossiya Segodnya produces media in more than 30 languages and manages a portfolio including RIA Novosti, Sputnik, Baltnews, InoSMI, PRIME, Ukraina.ru, and others. Its Armenian operation is fully state-controlled, funded by the Russian federal budget, and directed by top-level management appointed in Moscow.

Dmitry Pisarenko was born in Yerevan. He previously worked for A1+ TV channel, where he covered the first Karabakh war after being sent to Nagorno-Karabakh in February 1993. At the age of 30, he was appointed head of the North Caucasus bureau of the Russian NTV television company. In one of his interviews, he mentioned that during his years as bureau head, he spent extensive time in Chechnya, a republic within the Russian Federation. According to a conversation with MOM Team, he returned to Armenia in 2015 and has served as head of the Armenian branch of the Rossiya Segodnya International Media Group since then.

Dmitry Kiselyov is a Russian journalist and broadcaster. He currently serves as the Director General of Russia’s international media group “Rossiya Segodnya.” Kiselyov began his journalistic career in 1975 at the Novosti Press Agency. Over the years, he worked for the international broadcasting division of the Soviet State Television and Radio Company, including editorial offices in Norway and Poland, and has led television programs in both Russian and Ukrainian media.

He is best known as the host of “Vesti Nedeli” (“News of the Week”) on the Rossiya 1 television channel, where he delivers weekly political analyses in line with the Kremlin’s positions. In 2013, by decree of the President of Russia, Kiselyov was appointed head of Rossiya Segodnya.

International media often describe him as one of the key figures in Kremlin propaganda. The European Union has included him in its sanctions list for publicly endorsing the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Margarita Simonyan is one of the most prominent figures in the Russian media sector. She is of Armenian descent and was born in Russia. Simonyan is currently the editor-in-chief of the international media group “Rossiya Segodnya.” Under her leadership, the international news agency Sputnik was also established. In 2005, at the age of 25, she was appointed editor-in-chief of the newly launched English-language television channel “Russia Today.”

These media platforms are funded by the Kremlin and have been characterized by international media outlets as key instruments for disseminating Russian state propaganda abroad. International press reports have documented Simonyan's close ties with senior Kremlin officials, particularly Alexey Gromov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia.

In 2022, Margarita Simonyan stated that the Armenian government had barred her and Russian State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin from entering Armenia. Simonyan has publicly criticized the current Armenian authorities, especially with regard to foreign policy.

Vardan Toghanyan is the sole shareholder and beneficial owner of Tospa Radio Company Editorial Office CJSC, according to the company's charter and the declaration of beneficial owners. He became the beneficial owner in 2017.

From 2017 to 2022, Toghanyan served as Ambassador of Armenia to Russia. Article 44 of the Law On Diplomatic Service prohibits diplomats from engaging in entrepreneurial activities. Since the company's charter states that its purpose is to make a profit through economic activity, Toghanyan transferred Tospa Radio Company Editorial Office CJSC to trust management. According to his 2021 annual declaration, the trust manager is Meruzhan Badalyan.

Toghanyan's career has been closely connected to Russia. He worked as a history teacher in Yerevan (1991-1992) before entering diplomatic service as Chief Specialist of the Permanent Representation of Armenia in Moscow (1992-1994), Second Secretary of the Embassy of Armenia in Moscow (1994-1995), First Secretary in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-1997), First Secretary of the Embassy of Armenia in the Russian Federation (1997-1998), and Counselor of the Embassy of Armenia in the Russian Federation (1998-2000).

Beyond his diplomatic career, Toghanyan has held numerous positions in Russian business enterprises. Since 2001, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eurasian Media Group CJSC. From 2012, he became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russian Sverdlovsk Film Studio OJSC and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Borisoglebsk Starch Plant OJSC. From 2013 to 2015, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Kinotechnika and Soyuzkniga OJSCs, and from 2013 to 2016, he served on the Board of Directors of Central Research Institute of Paper OJSC. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Russian Newspapers CJSC.

In 2017, Toghanyan was appointed Ambassador of Armenia to Russia. By decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2021, he was awarded the Order of Friendship for his contribution to strengthening Armenian-Russian allied relations. In 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented Toghanyan with the Order of Friendship.

Toghanyan was one of the founders of the Armenian Future Charitable Foundation, established in 2018. According to the 2025 declaration of beneficial owners, he holds a 50% stake in the foundation. He was also one of the founders of Sirun Diamonds LLC, operating in Armenia. The company was subsequently renamed New Development LLC, then Gold and Diamond LLC. Founded in 2015, Toghanyan held a 33.3% stake in the company until May 2025.

In 2016, the investigative journalism website Hetq.am published a list of offshore companies with Armenian citizens, obtained as part of the Panama Papers project. Vardan Toghanyan's name appeared on the list.