Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s interactions with Russian officials, state-linked media, and companies date back to his tenure as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and intensified during the 2016 Trump campaign and transition. These dealings—involving official visits, paid engagements, diplomatic contacts, and investigations—are confirmed in congressional records, declassified transcripts, financial disclosures, and court filings. Below is a fact-checked chronology from public sources.
2013 GRU Headquarters Visit
As DIA Director, Flynn visited Russia’s GRU headquarters in Moscow, the first U.S. officer invited inside. He lectured on leadership, met GRU chief Igor Sergun, and toured facilities; contacts with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak began then. This official trip predated his retirement.
2015 RT Gala and Payments
Post-retirement in December 2015, Flynn attended RT’s Moscow gala, paid $45,386 plus expenses (Hotel Metropol stay), and sat near Putin. He also received $11,250 each from Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Kaspersky’s U.S. arm, totaling ~$68,000 in Russia-linked income. Initial disclosures omitted these; Pentagon investigated Emoluments Clause issues, resulting in an Army fine.
Disclosure Amendments
Flynn’s 2016–17 forms initially misreported payments; a March 2017 amendment listed RT, Volga-Dnepr, and Kaspersky (over $5,000 each). Congressional reviews verified via checks, invoices, and RT’s London payments.
2016 Kislyak Transition Contacts
December 1: Flynn, Jared Kushner, and Kislyak met at Trump Tower; Kislyak proposed a secure channel for Syrian intel from Russian generals (none established).
December 22: Flynn urged Kislyak to block a UN resolution on Israeli settlements (Russia voted yes; U.S. abstained).
December 29: Amid Obama sanctions, Flynn called Kislyak multiple times, advocating restraint; transcripts show de-escalation emphasis, followed by Putin’s no-retaliation announcement.
January 12/19: Further calls and Kislyak voicemail.
Resignation, Plea, Pardon, Settlement
February 13, 2017: Flynn resigned after misleading Pence on Kislyak calls.
December 1, 2017: Guilty plea for lying to FBI about sanctions talk.
November 25, 2020: Trump pardon.
March 2026: DOJ settled Flynn’s $50M malicious prosecution suit for $1.25M.
Post-Pardon Period
No documented new payments or contracts with Russian entities since the pardon. Flynn’s pro-Russia statements (e.g., 2022 Ukraine op-eds) are protected speech, not formal dealings.
Written with the help of AI. Photo: Russia Today via Wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin,_Russia_Today_television_channel_%282015-12-10%29_04.jpg
Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal 
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