The Turning Point USA founder had long heaped criticism on US and Western policy of funding Ukraine's military to the tune of billions, at one point calling out President Zelensky as "an ungrateful capricious child." For this reason he came under severe criticism by Ukrainian and pro-Kiev pundits.

The Kremlin is now highlighting this soon after his death. For example, former Russian president and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev quickly connected Kirk's murder to what he called "a variety of left-wing liberal scum who support Banderite" Kiev.

This is a reference to Nazi Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera, who was formative in hardline Ukrainian nationalist movements in the 20th century world wars era - and deemed a national hero by the Ukrainian government. His legacy is also condemned by multiple European and human rights institutions as representing antisemitism. 

Medvedev issued a statement to social media urging Americans mourning Kirk's death - and especially those in the MAGA movement - "to realize that by supporting Ukraine, they're supporting murderers."

"Political crimes and assassinations have been carried out lately by a variety of left-wing liberal scum who support Banderite Kiev. Fico, Kirk. Who's next?" - he said in reference to the almost fatal May 2024 shooting of Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's chief negotiator with the Trump team and head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, reposted a video montage on X that showed leftists "in full celebration mode over Charlie Kirk getting shot."

Dmitriev described "voices of light" cannot be silenced. He also reposted a message from Elon Musk, among a series of Kirk-related posts, stating: "The Left is the party of murder." Musk had also in the past agreed with Kirk's biting criticisms of US/NATO policy toward Ukraine, and the risks of WW3.