Silenced: The Russian Targets Of The Kremlin's Extreme New Wartime Laws
- By RFE/RL
Hundreds of Russians have been handed yearslong prison terms under new censorship laws that assign severe penalties for discussing the invasion of Ukraine. Here are eight of the ordinary people who have had their lives upended by the new legislation.
1
Viktoria Petrova
The St. Petersburg woman was detained in May 2022 for spreading “fake” information in social media posts that criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine and highlighted the human losses it has caused in both countries.
During her monthslong detention, she continued speaking out against the war and a court ordered a psychiatric assessment. She is currently being held in a psychiatric hospital and doctors will decide whether she requires “additional treatment” later this year.
The St. Petersburg woman was detained in May 2022 for spreading “fake” information in social media posts that criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine and highlighted the human losses it has caused in both countries.
During her monthslong detention, she continued speaking out against the war and a court ordered a psychiatric assessment. She is currently being held in a psychiatric hospital and doctors will decide whether she requires “additional treatment” later this year.
2
Yevgenia Maiboroda
The 72-year old, who lives on the outskirts of a mining town in the Rostov region, was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for spreading “false” information about Russia’s army. One of her offending posts on the Russian social media app VK highlighted the tens of thousands of civilian deaths during the Russian takeover of Mariupol.
The pensioner’s life was marked by tragedy before her imprisonment. Maiboroda lost her son in a car accident in 1997, and her husband died from an illness in 2011. Amid the invasion of Ukraine, Maiboroda’s cousin, living across the border in Ukraine, was wounded in a Russian strike on Dnipro.
The 72-year old, who lives on the outskirts of a mining town in the Rostov region, was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for spreading “false” information about Russia’s army. One of her offending posts on the Russian social media app VK highlighted the tens of thousands of civilian deaths during the Russian takeover of Mariupol.
The pensioner’s life was marked by tragedy before her imprisonment. Maiboroda lost her son in a car accident in 1997, and her husband died from an illness in 2011. Amid the invasion of Ukraine, Maiboroda’s cousin, living across the border in Ukraine, was wounded in a Russian strike on Dnipro.
3
Aleksei Moskalyov
In the spring of 2022, the single father was caught up in a police investigation of his teen daughter after the girl drew an image depicting Russian missiles raining down on Ukrainian civilians. When Moskalyov’s own anti-war social media posts were discovered, he was arrested and in March 2023 sentenced to two years in prison for “discrediting” the Russian military.
The jailed man’s 13-year-old daughter was initially sent to an orphanage, but after international outcry the teen was released to live with her mother, who is estranged from Moskalyov. In an appeal against his sentence in July 2023, Moskalyov said he would prefer death over the extended separation from his daughter, who has described him as “my hero.”
In the spring of 2022, the single father was caught up in a police investigation of his teen daughter after the girl drew an image depicting Russian missiles raining down on Ukrainian civilians. When Moskalyov’s own anti-war social media posts were discovered, he was arrested and in March 2023 sentenced to two years in prison for “discrediting” the Russian military.
The jailed man’s 13-year-old daughter was initially sent to an orphanage, but after international outcry the teen was released to live with her mother, who is estranged from Moskalyov. In an appeal against his sentence in July 2023, Moskalyov said he would prefer death over the extended separation from his daughter, who has described him as “my hero.”
4
Dmitry Ivanov
Ivanov is serving an 8 1/2 year prison sentence for publishing “fake” reports about the Russian military on a Telegram channel he helped run. The offending posts covered the massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and the devastation of Mariupol, among other topics.
In a statement to the court, Ivanov implored his compatriots to “be stronger than fear,” adding, “Everything will be OK.”
Ivanov is serving an 8 1/2 year prison sentence for publishing “fake” reports about the Russian military on a Telegram channel he helped run. The offending posts covered the massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and the devastation of Mariupol, among other topics.
In a statement to the court, Ivanov implored his compatriots to “be stronger than fear,” adding, “Everything will be OK.”
5
Maria Ponomarenko
In February 2023, the journalist, from Russia’s Altai region, was sentenced to six years in prison for “discrediting” the Russian military after she posted about the March 2022 air strike on the Mariupol drama theater.
Ponomarenko, the mother of two young children, has claimed repeated abuse while in custody, including forcible injection of an unknown substance during a "psychiatric" assessment.
In February 2023, the journalist, from Russia’s Altai region, was sentenced to six years in prison for “discrediting” the Russian military after she posted about the March 2022 air strike on the Mariupol drama theater.
Ponomarenko, the mother of two young children, has claimed repeated abuse while in custody, including forcible injection of an unknown substance during a "psychiatric" assessment.
6
Aleksandra Skochіlenko
The St. Petersburg artist and author was sentenced to seven years in prison for altering supermarket price tags to include information about the Russian invasion. Immediately after the severe sentence was handed down, Oksana Demysheva, the judge involved, was recommended for a major job promotion.
The St. Petersburg artist and author was sentenced to seven years in prison for altering supermarket price tags to include information about the Russian invasion. Immediately after the severe sentence was handed down, Oksana Demysheva, the judge involved, was recommended for a major job promotion.
7
Aleksei Gorinov
Gorinov is holding a sign that asks, “Do you still need this war?”
The municipal lawmaker from Moscow was sentenced to seven years in prison for “knowingly spreading fake information” about the Russian military. At a meeting of the Moscow city legislature in March 2022, Gorinov spoke out against the optics of planning children’s events at the same time that in Ukraine, “there are children dying every day.” Such events he said, would be like holding “a feast during the plague.”
During his 2022 court hearing over his comments, Gorinov continued to condemn the Russian invasion, saying, “We were promised victory and glory, so why do so many of my compatriots feel shame and guilt?”
Gorinov is holding a sign that asks, “Do you still need this war?”
The municipal lawmaker from Moscow was sentenced to seven years in prison for “knowingly spreading fake information” about the Russian military. At a meeting of the Moscow city legislature in March 2022, Gorinov spoke out against the optics of planning children’s events at the same time that in Ukraine, “there are children dying every day.” Such events he said, would be like holding “a feast during the plague.”
During his 2022 court hearing over his comments, Gorinov continued to condemn the Russian invasion, saying, “We were promised victory and glory, so why do so many of my compatriots feel shame and guilt?”
8
Nikita Tushkanov
In May 2023, the history teacher from Russia's Komi Republic was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for social media posts supporting Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion. Two months later, Tushkanov married his fiancée while in detention.
In prison, the 29-year-old has repeatedly been sent into solitary confinement for transgressions such as having his hands in his pockets while lining up with other convicts. In his final court appearance, Tushkanov stated that he would “not change my position on the events in Ukraine.”
In May 2023, the history teacher from Russia's Komi Republic was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for social media posts supporting Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion. Two months later, Tushkanov married his fiancée while in detention.
In prison, the 29-year-old has repeatedly been sent into solitary confinement for transgressions such as having his hands in his pockets while lining up with other convicts. In his final court appearance, Tushkanov stated that he would “not change my position on the events in Ukraine.”
