Danila Bargrov and Yeva Bagrova are political prisoners
Last year, a 19-year-old man and his 17-year-old sister were sentenced to nine and four years of imprisonment, respectively, on charges of collaborating with the Russian Volunteer Corps
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova political prisoners. Bagrov was convicted on charges of ‘preparing to commit treason’ and ‘participating in a terrorist organization,’ while his sister Bagrova was convicted of ‘justifying terrorism’ and ‘aiding terrorist activities.’ We demand that all criminal charges against the siblings be dropped, and that Yeva Bagrova be released.
What were the charges against Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova?
Danila Bagrov was remanded in custody in August 2024, shortly after his 18th birthday. He was allegedly planning to fight against the Russian army by joining the Russian Volunteer Corps in Ukraine. He was charged with ‘preparing to defect to the enemy’ (Article 30, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in conjunction with Article 275 CC RF) and with ‘preparing to participate in a terrorist organization’ (Article 30, Part 1, CC RF in conjunction with Article 205.5, Part 2, CC RF). Bagrov had allegedly corresponded with representatives of the Russian Volunteer Corps online and purchased a ticket to Georgia intending to travel to Ukraine.
On 16 September 2025, Danila Bagrov was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, with the first three years to be served in a cell-type prison.
Bagrov’s sister, Yeva Bagrova, still a secondary school student at the time, was detained on 27 December 2024, three months after her brother had been remanded in custody. A few days earlier, photographs of Denis Kapustin and Aleksei Levkin, members of the Russian Volunteer Corps, appeared on a bulletin board at the school, captioned ‘Honoured Heroes of Russia’ and accompanied by an image of the Russian flag. The investigative authorities concluded it was Yeva Bagrova who had put up the portraits. She was charged with ‘publicly justifying terrorism’ (Article 205.2, Part 2, CC RF) and remanded in custody. However, in March she was transferred to house arrest.
Later, Bagrova was also charged with ‘participation in the commission of terrorist crimes’ (Article 205.1, Part 1, CC RF). She was alleged to have persuaded a boy who had yet to reach the age of criminal responsibility to put up flyers (presumably also related to the Russian Volunteer Corps).
In court, both Yeva Bagrova and her ‘accomplice’ recanted their confessions and claimed they had been made under coercion. Bagrova stated that law enforcement officials had threatened to use violence against her, her father, and her brother.
On 13 October 2025, Yeva Bagrova was sentenced to four years in a penal colony. She was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Why do we consider Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova political prisoners?
We do not know if Danila Bagrov had intended to join the Russian Volunteer Corps. However, even if he had, he should not face criminal prosecution on the charges brought against him. You can read more about our opinion on this issue here.
The Russian Volunteer Corps is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces that legally participates in military operations. Its designation as a terrorist organization by Russia is unlawful. Actions such as putting up photographs of Russian citizens who are members of the Russian Volunteer Corps with the caption ‘Honoured Hero of Russia,’ or flyers about the activities of the Russian Volunteer Corps, do not constitute justification of terrorism.
The cases of Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova are not the first example of politically motivated prosecution of members of a single family in modern Russia. However, the sentence handed down to a minor schoolgirl is an outrageous manifestation of the repressive nature of a state attempting to intimidate all those who oppose its war against Ukraine.
The detailed descriptions of the cases of Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova and of our position are available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Danila Bagrov and Yeva Bagrova at the following addresses:
RU:
Российская Федерация, 143202, Московская область, Можайский р-н, п. им. Дзержинского, д. 19, ФКУ Можайская ВК УФСИН России по Московской области, Багрова Ева Владиславовна, 2008 г. р.
EN:
Yeva Vladislavovna Bagrova (born 2008), Juvenile Correctional Colony, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Moscow Oblast, 19 Posyolok imeni Dzherzhinskogo, Mozhaisky district, Moscow Oblast, 143202, Russia.
RU:
Российская Федерация, 399783, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ул. Пролетарская, д. 1Б, ФКУ Т-2 УФСИН России по Липецкой области, Багров Данила Владиславович, 2006 г. р.
EN:
Danila Vladislavovich Bagrov (born 2006), Prison No. 2, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Lipetsk Oblast, 1 B Proletarskaya Street, Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast, 399783, Russia.
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