Danila Smirnov is a political prisoner

A schoolboy from Astrakhan faces terrorism charges over Telegram messages, a video “oath,” and a photograph of a mosque allegedly linked to the Freedom of Russia Legion

Danila Smirnov from Astrakhan had just turned 14 when, according to the investigation, he joined the Freedom of Russia Legion. A criminal case under Article 205.5, Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation) was opened against him in May 2025, and he was formally charged in September of the same year. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment. His case is currently being heard by a court of first instance, and Danila remains under house arrest.

According to the prosecution, in the spring and summer of 2024 the schoolboy, who was critical of the Russian authorities, corresponded on Telegram with people claiming to represent the Freedom of Russia Legion. They allegedly invited him to join the organisation. The prosecution claims that Danila photographed the Baku Mosque in Astrakhan and sent the pictures to his correspondent to assist in preparing an act of sabotage. In addition, the teenager recorded a 16-second video in which he recited an “oath,” saying: “…I swear to faithfully help this organisation… I do not agree with the policies of Putin’s government…” The prosecution alleges that he was then accepted into the Legion.

It is unknown what evidence the investigators rely on to prove either the correspondence itself or that Danila’s interlocutors were genuinely connected to the Freedom of Russia Legion. In any event, we consider the decision to designate this unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a terrorist organisation to be unlawful and unfounded. We also believe that joining a military unit cannot be accomplished simply by recording a short video and sending a photograph, and that minors are not accepted into the Legion — a fact confirmed by the Legion’s own representatives.

It is also possible that Danila Smirnov was, in fact, communicating with Russian security officers. Numerous cases are known in which fake Telegram bots and websites purporting to belong to the Freedom of Russia Legion have been used to entrap people with anti-war views.

A detailed description of Danila Smirnov’s case and of our position is available on our website.

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