The Radiolab podcast had an episode a while back where they interviewed some of the event participants. It was organized and funded via remote sources (they were implied Russians, although the organizers weren't interviewed), but attended by locals. Some of the locals that were interviewed felt duped, others were somewhat indifferent.

Pretty good listen if you're interested in a deeper dive.

https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/curious-case-russian-flash...