1.0 Introduction
“The Base” is a neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and accelerationist group formed in 2018, now suspected to be a Russian proxy actor due to its leader’s personality, and its involvement in Ukraine. The group is an example of how far-right extremism aims for transnationalism, paramilitary features, and employs online tools in its recruitment and planning phases.
Extremist groups of this sort often crumble when under pressure. Yet, The Base survived its listing as a terrorist group across various countries, as well as important arrests. The group shows a great ability to regenerate and rebuild its capabilities, perhaps related to its international connections, including suspicious Kremlin aligned Russian ones.
2.0 Origins/Ideological Foundations
The Base’s ideology follows neo-Nazism, white suprematism, and accelerationism. Rinaldo Nazzaro, a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contractor, is considered its founder. Their guiding text is named “Siege,” written by neo-Nazi James Mason in the 1980s. Nonetheless, the group seemingly accepts any members who adhere to accelerationism and some degree of White supremacism.
Similar to other accelerationists, The Base considers our current social order and world beyond possible repair. Therefore, they argue in favour of “burning it all down” in order to move forward. They emphasise the creation of a so-called “white ethnostate,” achievable only following the collapse of current societal structures.
The base is also considered to be part of a broader network – the “skull mask”. This network is a collection of militant, neo-fascist, transnational accelerationist groups of various kinds. The “skull mask” network advocates for the overthrow of governments through violent means to create totalitarian Aryan nations. The Base and other similar groups express perceived anxieties over the theory of “White replacement”. [source, source, source]
3.0 Key Figures
3.1 Rinaldo Nazzaro
Founder of The Base, Nazzaro is a key figure in the neo-Nazi accelerationist sphere. He was likely born in 1973 and is currently based in Russia. He is also known by his operational aliases, such as “Roman Wolf” and “Norman Spear.” Before founding the group, Nazzaro was confirmed to have worked as a DHS contractor between 2004 and 2006. He was also reported to work with US forces in the Middle East in 2014. According to the media, he held a top-secret clearance and briefed special forces officers on the counterterrorism and military efforts.
Nazzaro relocated to Russia in 2018, following his marriage to a Russian woman in New York in 2012. He continued to remotely manage The Base activities from Russia, until in 2020, The Guardian’s investigative report uncovered his identity to match the online aliases “Roman Wolf” and “Norman Spear”. Only two years later, in January 2022, Nazzaro publicly declared (on Telegram) that he would “relinquish all administrative responsibilities and control over The Base.” Despite his “retirement”, he reportedly posted messages some months later explaining the accelerationist cause and the need for a group like The Base to exist. [source]
4.0 Organisational Structure
4.1 Cell-Based Structure
The Base operates, similarly to other neo-fascist accelerationist groups, through a decentralised network following a cell-based model. This design is arguably chosen to minimise strategic risks (such as infiltration/disruption). The essential idea is derived from James Mason’s “Siege,” which emphasises the need to focus on small-cell, clandestine, in-person organisations rather than aiming for mass mobilisation. [source]
4.2 Recruitment
The group’s recruitment process mostly develops through online platforms. Independent cells utilise online spaces to identify and approach recruits, and in-person survival training courses are also considered a key part of the recruitment process. Encrypted websites and platforms, such as BitChute and Telegram, are employed in their operations. Nonetheless, the first approach may happen through simple propaganda memes and videos, including ones of firearm training at organised camps. Once recruited, the members are pushed and encouraged to take part in paramilitary training. This is to perpetrate violent acts aimed at societal destabilisation.
The recruits sought out are generally ones with survivalist, outdoors, self-defence, and military skills. This makes current and former armed forces members especially relevant to this process, as they are useful not only to be employed in person, but also to share their skills. [source, source]
4.2.1 The Winnipeg Free Press infiltration
Through 2018 and 2019, the Winnipeg Free Press reportedly infiltrated the group, with a reporter undergoing a “multi-tiered vetting process.” By doing this, they showed the low operational security of the group and identified Patrik Mathews, of the Canadian Armed Forces, to be responsible for propaganda and recruitment around the area of Winnipeg. This infiltration was a heavy blow for the group. A reporter underwent encrypted online communication exchange, a call with the founder Rinaldo Nazzaro, and even an in-person meeting.
As of 2021, The Base likely revamped its recruitment process, claiming to have established stronger security. [source, source]
5.0 Notable Operations and Activities
5.1 Operation Kristallnacht
In September 2019, a series of antisemitic vandalistic attacks were carried out across the US. Synagogues in Wisconsin and Michigan were painted with neo-Nazi slogans and symbols, including that of The Base. The organiser of this event was Richard Tobin, from Brooklawn, New Jersey. He called the operation “Kristallnacht”, referring to the German Nazi pogroms of 1938. Tobin admitted to his participation and was later indicted. [source]
5.2 The Virginia Gun Rights Rally
In January 2020, The Base plotted and attempted to foster violence at a pro-gun rally in Richmond, Virginia. Brian Lemley, Jr., William Garfield Bilbrough IV and Canadian Patrik Jordan Mathews hoped the rally would erupt into a civil war. The three were arrested in the days prior to the rally, as they were carrying a large amount of ammunition and discussing violent accelerationist plots. [source]
5.3 International Operations and Arrests
The activities of The Base extend beyond the U.S. Members operated in places such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Namely, two 19-year-olds from Amsterdam and Zwijndrecht were arrested and suspected of inciting right-wing extremism and crimes with a terrorist intent. There are more small-scale relevant cases, most involving young individuals planning terrorist attacks or participating in recruiting efforts. [source]
6.0 Current Status/Development
6.1 Terrorist Organisation Status
Multiple countries officially designated The Base as a terrorist organisation between 2021 and 2024. This list includes Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU. On 3 February 2021, Canada added The Base to its list of recognised terrorist entities. The UK also proscribed The Base as a terrorist group/organisation in 2021. During the same year, Australia also listed the group as a terrorist organisation, hence making it illegal for its citizens to be members. New Zealand only added The Base to its list, together with the Proud Boys, in June 2022. Finally, the EU added The Base to the EU Terrorist List on 26 July 2024.
[source, source, source, source, source]
6.2 The Base Resurgence in 2024-2025
Reports show that, in 2024, the group attempted to rebuild and strengthen its network. This was especially true in the US, considering the end-of-year presidential elections and their results. It was also reported that Nazzaro sought a leader, on U.S. ground, able to coordinate and lead activities in exchange for a salary. Recruitment and training continued through the U.S. and Europe, with donations now urged to be in the form of cryptocurrencies.
Another element facilitating the group’s resurgence was the shift to Russian internet platforms (eg. VK and Redtube). The platforms offer much more anonymity as well as a lack of moderation. As described above, The Base was under a lot of scrutiny in the Western world, identified by many as a terrorist group. Evidence suggests The Base considers Russia a hospitable environment for its activities, even more so if we consider Nazzaro’s moved there at the group’s earliest stages. [source, source, source]
6.3 Russian Connections
In April 2025, the Guardian reported on The Base ex-members accusing Nazzaro, the founder, of being a Russian federal asset. In this context, they cited his behaviour, doubting his experience with weaponry and his deployment with U.S. forces. They also mentioned his travel patterns and language skills, the former often coinciding with members’ arrests and the latter seeming too fluent and natural for an American.
Although one may question Nazzaro being a Russian agent from the very beginning of his militancy, The Base’s Ukrainian cell is raising great concerns due to his alignment. The latest venture in Ukraine sees Nazzaro offering cash to carry out operations such as assassinations and sabotage. This is arguably a Russian intelligence operation gaining traction. Reportedly, videos only show how members of The Base burned Ukrainian licensed military vehicles, as well as other disruptive activities. [source]
7.0 Conclusion
The Base serves as a good example of how transnational far-right extremist groups are an evolving security threat. They showed the ability to adapt, decentralise, and exploit online platforms and more. This threat is internationally recognised, as various countries, including the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the EU, have listed The Base as a terrorist organisation.
More than ever, it is now important to look at The Base, considering its alleged Russian connections and the possibility of it having been a Russian operation from the very beginning. Its founder, Nazzaro, was considered suspicious by many ex-members, who argued that the Russians were the ones really pulling his strings. At a stage in global security in which the Russian threat in the covert action and hybrid warfare arena is increasingly relevant, acknowledging that extremist ideological groups play an important role is crucial.
