All assessments of the criminal prosecution of specific individuals, including the designation of detained persons as political prisoners, reflect the position of our Project. Such assessments are not based on the views and assessments of the individuals being prosecuted, their families, friends or lawyers, and do not imply their consent or approval. The information regarding the facts of specific criminal cases published on our Project’s website has been obtained from public sources and does not imply or require the consent of the individuals mentioned therein or their representatives.
Report 17 Jul, 2026

Political repression and political prisoners in Russia in 2025

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has now passed the four-year mark. Throughout that period, it has shaped the nature and dynamics of most politically motivated prosecutions in the country. According to the Conflict Intelligence Team, 2025 was the deadliest year yet for civilians on both sides of the front line. Online discussion of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine has increasingly led to prosecutions for public justification and propaganda of terrorism, while accusations of passing information to Ukrainian intelligence or arson attacks on infrastructure have become routine features of these cases.

Political Prisoners Memorial has published its Annual Report 2025 on political repression in Russia.