Hi, Kris!
The wrong versions about Smolensk, Smolensk region, Pskov region and Leningrad region are probably originated from incorrect TDoA results obtained by Finnish DXers some time ago. It is also possible, that some of the versions were spread deliberately by the persons behind the transmissions.
My numerous TDoA results point on the northern part of Belarus for 1611 kHz used in past (with a very good accuracy), 1575 kHz and 3940 kHz (not as good accuracy as for 1611 kHz, but still point on the same region). Anyone who is able to apply this method correctly can verify my results by himself.
Authorities in russia are very attentive to such regular unlicensed radio operations which go beyond the scope of radio hooligan's routine "allo-allo" QSOs. At present, SW, MW, FM stations of such kind would not broadcast for a long time from the territory of russia not being raided (let's recall collapse of the FM pirate scene in Sankt-Peterburg). The mentioned MW station is regularly active since the beginning of 2020 at least (if not earlier), that's why the above versions about its russian location are nonsence IMHO. Republic of Belarus is more suitable for such an activity instead, because communication authorities are more careless there. In any case, I guess, this is totally amateur project, supporting general line of the russian chauvinistic politics, but not supervised by officials.