Navy veteran, Sarah Bils, provided pro-Russia propaganda for months
Sarah Bils at a cake cutting ceremony while she was in the Navy. (The Telegraph)
Sarah Bils built up an online persona, making people believe that she was someone living in Ukraine. She used the name “Donbas Devushka” which means “Donbas Girl.” As a person “living” in Ukraine, in an area occupied by the Russians, she spread pro-Russia propaganda. However, her tropical fish interest, coupled with her not covering her tracks, lead to her being uncovered as Sarah Bils, a Navy veteran, from New Jersey.
From The Telegraph:
Donbas Devushka emerged after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
She built up a sizeable social media following on Twitter, Telegram and YouTube, emerging as the face of Russian propaganda, raising money and selling merchandise for the Russian cause.
And according to the Wall Street Journal, the Donbas Devushka Telegram account played a key role in the dissemination of intelligence documents allegedly leaked by Airman First Class Jack Teixeira, by reposting them onto an array of obscure online chat rooms. However, Ms Bils denied being personally involved.
“I obviously know the gravity of top-secret classified materials. We didn’t leak them,” she said.
Using assorted pseudonyms including CheburekiVibes, MeatballSubZero, YuGopnik, GhostofLugansk, she has amassed 135,000 subscribers to her podcast on which she broadcasts with a cod “Russian” accent.
Several of her Twitter accounts were suspended, but undaunted she built up Donbas Devushka’s disinformation empire — branded “girl and cat against the whole world”.
Ms Bils has been unmasked by the North Atlantic Fella Organisation — NAFO — which devotes itself to raising funds for Ukraine and combating disinformation.
As Donbas Devushka, she posted photographs on Twitter, giving her first name as Mila. She also created a YouTube channel last July and then another Twitter account, under the handle @Luganskforlife.
She also, at least on social media, claims to be an expert on geopolitics and history. In one profile, Ms Bils says she is studying at the online School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University.
Sarah Bils claims that she was forced out of the Navy due to her left-wing views. The Telegraph has the rest of the article here. Fox News provides more information on Sarah Bils’ time in the Navy. She lost a couple of ranks on her way out and is currently under investigation for her possible role in spreading the leaked classified documents.
Category: Russia, Ukraine, Veterans in the news
I saw an article that mentioned DUI’s and a reduction to E-5 but I am not an expert and don’t know if that alone is enough to get you dropped two ranks and shown the door.
“Bils was discharged from the military late last year with a lower rank, according to military records. The reason for the honorable discharge and rank change has not been publicly revealed.”
“It came following an investigation over a high-speed crash in September 2021 when she rear-ended a 55-year-old driver, according to a police report.”
“Bils told WSJ that she left the Navy after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.”
https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/pro-russian-propagandist-idd-as-us-navy-vet-who-helped-pentagon-intelligence-leak/
I was always under the impression, mainly what I was told, that it was very difficult to be busted from Chief (E-7 to you non USN types) because the Chief was liaison between enlisted and Officers. A Chief can’t do that effectively if there is a fear of being busted.
I find hard that a DUI alone unless while on duty/during working hours/in USN vehicle. She really screwed the pooch to go from Chief to PO2. My ship was a BM3 that was in 12 years because he was caught impersonating an officer and busted down to E-1 but worked his way back up. I mean “what a fucking idiot”, but you have to give him his due because he was still plugging away.
Correct It takes a court-martial. Most services will court-martial you for a DUI crash if there were injuries. This is because it can be a felony in most states. In Washington State it is a class B felony
No it doesn’t. It just takes a Flag officer to chair the proceedings. I have ruined the career of a few CPO’s who had a hard time with following the regs, and they all deserved it.
She was probably a frocked CPO. In other words, still an E-6 and could be busted at Captain’s Mast.
From the MILPERSMAN:
“The CO is not considered to have the authority at nonjudicial punishment (NJP) to reduce a servicemember in paygrades E-7 or above to a lower paygrade since advancement to E-7 or higher requires selection by a board convened for that purpose by Navy Personnel Command (NAVPERSCOM) (reference (b), paragraph 803.2).”
Huh. Chiefs really do have it different.
The funny thing is that a CPO can’t be reduced in rank at Captain’s Mast, but they can be reduced by one rank at a Summary Court Martial, the lowest level of court martial.
It’s funny cause the only requirement for a judge is that he is a commissioned officer. Nothing else. So, conceivably an ensign could be the judge and bust the CPO or above by one rank, while a Captain at Mast cannot.
When I was an XO, we sent one of our Sailors to summary CM. IIRC, the judge was a Lieutenant.
If she was frocked, she’s still an E6 and can be busted to to E5. Saw it happen to a frocked ICC
Exactly.
I hear the Marine Corps is the same way. Except, it’s E-6 and above that cannot be reduced in grade at NJP.
In the air force, a commander in the grade of 0-6/colonel is the demotion authority for E-7 & below at NJP. Demotion authority for pay grades of E-8 & E-9 are commanders at the general officer level.
Makes sense. Like CPOs, Staff Sgts are board selected.
Was the same in the Army – since E7 and up was by DA selection, took a court martial – NJP (Article 15, whether company or field grade) couldn’t do it.
How about Admiral’s Mast?
I would say no since it’s still NJP. But I’ll rely on the JAGs for the real answer.
Yes, it takes a flag officer.
Army reg is essentially the same. The CO does not have promotion authority, and therefore does not have demotion authority.
What’s the female equivalent to “Dickstepper”?
Boxpuncher?
Snatchstepper? 🤔
Except in Texas and other western states where they should be Clitkickers… 😜
I worked many years ago with an old retired BM who got so angry at a female cadet he told the deck gang he wanted to “kick her square in the mudflaps.” Maybe that’s what the Navy did to her?
I’d say if that’s bedrock the sky is the limit with you creative types.
I had a female CO that would refer to that as “A Cunt Punt”.
Clit-tripper
Carpet-tripper
E7 and shown the door right before 20 years and reduced in rank. Way to go.
She seems to have a little more than just Liberal ideas if she is now actively promoting Russian propaganda around the world!
I’m really glad the DoJ is on the case! /mega s
She can join the others in the gulag for embarrassing the empire in the first degree and working the other side of the NAFO/NAT0/MIC grift.
“…with thunderous applause.”
Several of our usual suspects sent this one in. I was late to the party, as usual.
Thanks, T.
Axis Sally, meet Donbas Dumba$$
“Bils is originally from New Jersey and enlisted in the Navy in 2009…After completing “A” school at Naval Aviation Technical Training Center in Pensacola Fla., she was a student at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit in Lemoore, Calif., and reported to Fleet Readiness Center Northwest, Whidbey Island, Wash., in June 2011. She worked in different roles at the air station until her discharge in November. From Febuary 2021to March 2022 Bils was assigned to a Whidbey Island-based EA-18G Growler forward maintenance team that deployed to work on the electronic attack aircraft. While mostly carrier-based, the Navy has deployed Growler squadrons to bases ashore to support joint missions…”
“Her awards included two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, four Good Conduct Medals and the National Defense Service Medal.”
“Bils officially separated on Nov. 27, 2022, just over nine months after Russia invaded Ukraine. She was frocked as an chief aviation electronics technician, but left the service as an E-5.”
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/17/feds-investigating-former-sailor-behind-pro-russian-donbass-devushka-accounts
The math doesn’t work. Good Conduct Medals are awarded every four years, IF you deserver them. If she claimed four of them, then she served at least 16 years…..not 13. Also, if she was busted down to E-5 from E-7, how did she get that fourth Good Conduct Medal?
I detect the faint aroma of bullshit on the wind.
That changed in the 1990s from four years to three years. Her bust apparently came after she received the fourth GCM.
If so, then it happened after I retired in ’95.
To bust an E7 requires a Court Martial. Sounds like she did some stupid shit, got busted out and now has a case of the ass. So then she did some more stupid shit. Definitely seen that before.
Still without having seen the rest of it, I would hit it. Probably have to use a fake identity though.
Still trying to figure out Navy Rank.
The article said she was frocked as a chief aviation electronics technician.
What rank is that? Is it E7?
And if she was frocked, that means she did not get the pay and allowances of that grade, which means she was really an E6 and was busted one grade down?
Yes, what your last paragraph said. For administrative purposes, she is treated as an E7, assumes the title, and assumes the responsibilities for the rank. However, she continues to be paid as an E6, her actual rank, until her actual promotion to E7. This would have been the scenario had she not stepped on her “pee pee.”
Thank You, thebesig!
LOL you posted this while I was typing my response. You got it.
👍👍👍👍
Exactly.
“…case of the ass.”
Been a long time since ol’ Poe has heard that term, which was widely used back in the 1960’s Army.
As a frocked CPO, her actual rank was PO1 for pay purposes. This may have been the baseline from which to hammer her with, thus the drop to PO2.
Yep and going down to E-5 triggered the up or out. If you don’t make E-6 by 12 or 14 years (can’t remember) you are done.
The Army has the same thing, Retention Control Point (RCP).
14 years in the Army for E5 but an E6 can retire. It wasn’t always that way. It was 17 years for an E6. This created worlds of hard feelings among the low performers. The difference between six and seven can be pretty large so far as responsibility and authority.
When I was in the Army E6(P) were treated as E7 for schools, UCMJ and all kinds of stuff. The logic was if you were on the list, you were already promoted and therefore if you lost your P status you were losing a rank.
Yes, we call it double jeopardy if you get in trouble before your actual advancement date.
We thought this sentence and the heading on the article about Sarah Bils from the Daily Mail link was hilarious…
😆😅🤣😂😉😎
“Sarah Bils: Pro-Russian propagandist Identified As NJ Navy Vet Divorcee Who Won Anti-Terrorism Medals”
“As per Daily Mail, she was a highly decorated servicewoman who won 11 medals and decorations during her 13 years of service including the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, given to those who serve directly in anti-terror operations.”
https://meaww.com/sarah-bils-nj-navy-vet-behind-donbas-girl-online-accounts-i-dd
Wow! I served DIRECTLY in anti-terror operations? Who knew? That must’ve been one HELL of a sleepwalking episode!🤣. I wonder what the Daily Mail would say about me if they found out that I was a two-time recipient of the always earned, never given National Defense Service Medal. I reckon that must make a real steely-eyed, stone cold killing machine!🤣
I presume that the daily mail doesn’t know that one EARNS a decoration and not win one in the Mil.
There’s always the BX if you have base access.
😆😉😎👍👍👍👌👌
The socialist Brits apparently don’t grasp the concept that you “win” medals.
But… She did not “win” the Army Service Ribbon!
The proggy MSM has some mighty flexible definition of “highly decorated.” I don’t call having a bunch “I was there” ribbons highly decorated.
Well… they ARE quite decorative..
Yep, I have a full row of them if I count the vaunted NDSM.
I think I might have more than one row of “Thanks for coming” awards.
We only received two for my war, VCM and VSM. That was back when an E-4 rarely had enough for more than five ribbons with a tour in SEA. Now they have four or five rows, minimum.
Depends on the unit, I think. In 1st Cav., Air Medal (airmobile, of course) and ARCOM were “I was there” medals for E4 and below, Bronze Star (no “V” device) and Air Medal for E5 and up.
My usual practice after discarding the “I was there” medals is to immediately discount any remaining medals received by officers & senior enlisted by one grade. Further adjustments may be made as necessary.
Yes, I suppose it did depend on your division or brigade. I only received two Air Medals for 9 months combat service in the Americal whereas I received two BSM’s, an AM, and an ARCOM for six months as a company C.O. in the 4th ID.
…It’s ALWAYS the interest in tropical fish that gets you.
This is a reference to something that happened before, I just can’t place where I have heard or seen it.
She said she got kicked out of the navy for her left wing views….. Hahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha. What Navy was she in, imperial Japan?. Now I want to see her DD 214.
It should say; “leftist, possible communist sympathizer, transfer to White House duty immediately”.
I wonder if Bils kept all of those those Bils she made in her business that were supposed to support her Russian peeps.
She only got busted one rank it seems. Being frocked means you are wearing the uniform and doing the job but not getting paid. She didn’t have much time in so she might have been waiting to be paid until the following August even though she was pinned on the 16th of Sept.
So whatever she did would have allowed her squadrons Skipper (usually an O-5) to bust her from E-6 to E-5. I have seen the exact scenario play out before.
Sarah Bils told the WSJ “she left the Navy after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The Ole PTSD Excuse…
😉😎
https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/pro-russian-propagandist-idd-as-us-navy-vet-who-helped-pentagon-intelligence-leak/
(PTSD) Played The Stupid Disorder
Here you go, Folks.
14 September 2021 about Sarah Bils high speed crash in Washington that may have resulted in her demotion:
“Two Injured In Highway 20 Collision Monday Morning”
https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/two-injured-in-highway-20-collision-monday-morning/
“Two Whidbey Island residents were injured in a collision on Highway 20 Monday morning when one car struck a second car that was turning onto the highway from Libbey Road, according to the State Patrol.”
“The crash was reported at 8:24 a.m. Coupeville resident Christian Huls, 55, was turning left off Libbey Road north of Coupeville onto Highway 20 in a 1997 Ford Econoline when his vehicle was rear ended by a 2016 Audi SQ5.”
“The Audi’s driver, Oak Harbor resident Sarah Bils, 36, was driving at a high rate of speed, according to a Washington State Patrol report on the incident.”
“Though both drivers were wearing seatbelts, both were injured and transported to WhidbeyHealth Medical Center for treatment, the State Patrol reported.”
“Both vehicles involved were totaled. Traffic was detoured as the road was closed until around 11:30 a.m. Monday.”
That’s not too far from my domicile. I drive through there all the time.
“The Audi’s driver, Oak Harbor resident Sarah Bils, 36, was driving at a high rate of speed, according to a Washington State Patrol report on the incident.”
I wonder if she made herself the subject of the next Command Safety Briefing with that wreck?
Hmmmm…when one nation is involved in a proxy war with another nation, would this be classified as “giving aid and comfort to an enemy”?
Dumbass Girl.
She was only giving aid and comfort by proxy for the proxy war. Therefore the court-martial should also be by proxy. Her imaginary avatar can then be sent to a virtual jail, and proxy protestors can ramble around outside throwing virtual Molotov Cocktails at the virtual Federal Building and beaning virtual rocks at the virtual police.
Of course if Musk is right, and we really are living in VR simulation, then she will know the true death, which is; nobody really cares about you.
Interesting article.
Sarah Marie Bils legally changed or is trying to legally change her name to Lyudmila Mikhailova Kazakova.
“RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION EMPIRE IN OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON”
https://malcontentment.com/a-russian-disinformation-empire-in-oak-harbor-washington/
OH, methinks she is about to go turbo-stupid, popcorn, anyone?
Hmmm..
At one time, she posted she was a Legal Clerk.
Another time, she posted she was a Logistics Specialist.
On her way to All-Points Logistics after she gets out of the can.
Well, we now know she has children:
Case Information
21-3-00240-15 | KACEY JONATHAN BILS vs SARAH MARIE BILS
Case Number
21-3-00240-15
Court
Island
Judicial Officer
Cliff, Carolyn L
File Date
08/04/2021
Case Type
DIC Dissolution of Marriage with Children
Case Status
Completed/Re-Completed
https://odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/ODYPORTAL/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0
BLUF: always do your utmost to determine the source(s) of your information.
I love when deception like this comes to the ‘fore.
It reminds me of the book: The Delinquent Teenager. Those who are familiar with it understand the comparison.
After reading the article, all the linked articles and the comments, I have determined the root cause of her problem…
She is an attention hoor. Pretty standard for her entire generation.
Since when have left-wing political views been a cause for separation? Our DoD couldn’t get much more lefty.
That shit is NOT going to look good on her resume’.
Dumbass.
So the cynical, somewhat jaded version of myself see this entire situation as little more than this: Navy Service Member fucks up, gets demoted and released from service, refuses to accept that all of that is directly due to choices said service member made voluntarily and entirely of her own volition, and then proceeds to be angry at everyone but herself.
So angry that her nation would dare to hold her accountable for her actions that she decides to turn traitorous rat bastard and give a voice to commie bastards who’ve been our nation’s adversary for 70+ years now.
Another quality human revealed for what they truly are, little more than a vindictive piece of shit human…
That’s the Reader’s Digest version right there. Clear, concise, right to the point. My cynical jaded self agrees 100%.
And then we have this…
Which makes one wonders about 8th Grader Hafid Alicea’s upbringing…
“Illinois Youth Wrestler Sucker Punches Opponent After Losing Match, Police Launch Probe
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/illinois-youth-wrestler-sucker-punches-opponent-losing-match-police-launch-probe
Just a half-stepping Bitch trying to get back at the man.