Political Repression in Russia in June 2025

On the basis of the research of the Russian association OVD-Info, we have identified 30 cases of Russian citizens sentenced for political reasons to effective prison terms from 1 to 22 years (almost 270 years in total) in June 2025 and serving them in various detention centers. These statistics do not claim to be exhaustive but only reflect a part of the reality.

[Here are some examples:]

A teacher from the Moscow region was sentenced in absentia to 7 years in prison because of a conversation with schoolchildren about the war

A military pensioner from the Nizhny Novgorod region was sentenced to 18 years in prison for anti-war leaflets

In Yekaterinburg, an officer who opposed the war in Ukraine was sentenced to 18 years in prison for “treason.”

A St. Petersburg local historian was sentenced to 1 year in prison because of a comment about a Finnish sniper

A resident of the Irkutsk region was sentenced to 6 years in prison because of comments about the security forces

A student from Chuvashia was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison because of anti-war graffiti. A third criminal case was opened against him

A volunteer of the “Army of Beauties” who helped Ukrainian refugees was sentenced to 22 years in prison

A Georgian oppositionist was sentenced to 2 years in prison because of posts about Georgians fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A businessman from Chelyabinsk was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison in a criminal case of commenting about the war

Other Topics of Interest

European Commission Pledges Stricter Schengen Visa Rules for Russian Citizens

The European Commission has promised to tighten Schengen visa regulations for Russian citizens in response to a formal joint appeal from 11 European nations. EC spokesperson for migration Marcus Lammert stated on Friday, June 5 that targeted restrictive measures will be introduced next year during a broader revision of the Visa Code, meaning they will not impact the current summer travel season.

A resident of Mariupol [a Ukrainian city currently occupied by the Russians] was sentenced to 6 years in prison because of “posts.”

A Samara eco-activist was sentenced to 20 years in prison under three articles, including treason

An ex-policeman was sentenced to 14 years for anti-war inscriptions and participation in a “terrorist” organization.

A typist from the Sverdlovsk region was sentenced to 20 years for attempting to set fire to the military registration and enlistment office

A resident of Smolensk was sentenced to 3 years in prison because of comments about the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a video about the USSR.

See the full list and details here.