Open-source research suggests that Shupliakov is connected to Russian military or federal security structures. Specifically, his name has been floated in connection with:
Western intelligence officials operate on the working assumption that Shupliakov is residing within the borders of the Russian Federation. Because Russia historically blocks the extradition of its citizens to Western nations, Shupliakov remains protected from immediate custody so long as he resides within domestic borders. shupliakov%2C danil alekseevich