A businessman based in Ireland whose company offers free translation services to Ukrainian refugees has confirmed his involvement with a Russian nationalist organisation that receives funding from the Kremlin.

Alex Chernenko, whose company Translit provides services to branches of the Irish government, confirmed his membership of the Organisation of Russian Compatriots in Ireland (KSORS), which receives funding from the Russian embassy.

Chernenko’s involvement with KSORS emerged after an image of him sitting next to Yuri Filatov, the Russian ambassador, was posted online. The picture was taken at a meeting of the compatriots held in Co Meath in December where Filatov spoke of russophobia in the West and the need for patriotism among Russians abroad.

Chernenko was seen at the top table with Filatov and Dmitry