ABC Moscow ▪️ Anarchist Black Cross Moscow

Wish Nikita a Happy Birthday! On August 17, Nikita Uvarov will turn 21. It’s hard to believe, because when we began the campaign in support of Nikita and the other defendants in the “Kansk teenagers case”, he was 15 years old — and he was only 14 when he was detained. In 2022, a court sentenced Nikita to five years in prison, and he was supposed to be released at the age of 20. But Nikita is now turning 21, and he is still behind bars. How did this happen? In the summer of 2020, in the city of Kansk in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region, Nikita Uvarov and his friends, who shared anarchist ideals, put up leaflets supporting political prisoners and criticizing the state. One of the leaflets was posted on the building of the local FSB office. Some time later, the teenagers were detained. Security officials put pressure on the young people and their parents and forced them to unlock their phones. Later, based on messages found on the phones and statements obtained under pressure from Denis Mikhaylenko and Bogdan Andreyev, the authorities fabricated a case accusing them of “training for terrorism” — alleging that the teenagers had been preparing to blow up the FSB building in Kansk. On February 10, 2022, Nikita was sentenced to five years in prison, while Mikhaylenko and Andreyev received suspended sentences. By then, Nikita had already spent almost a year in pretrial detention and was due to be released in the spring of 2026. A month before his release, a new case was fabricated against Nikita, accusing him of participating in the “AUE movement,” which has been designated extremist in Russia. Investigators claim that while in the penal colony, Nikita allegedly spread the “laws of the criminal world” among other prisoners. Yet Penal Colony No. 31, where he was serving his sentence, is a tightly controlled, or “red,” colony, where prison subculture exists only to the extent that the administration finds it useful. It is particularly telling that the case was initiated on the basis of materials from the Krasnoyarsk regional FSB literally just before Nikita’s sentence was due to end. In February, Nikita was transferred to Pretrial Detention Center No. 1 (SIZO-1) in Krasnoyarsk, after which a court ordered him to remain in custody on the new charge. As a result, when March 19 — the day Nikita was supposed to be released — arrived, he did not walk free. On August 7, the Sovetsky District Court of Krasnoyarsk once again granted the investigators’ request and extended Nikita’s detention in the pretrial detention center for another two months, until October 11. It also became known that Nikita had been transferred to a solitary cell at the request of his defense team. In the 12-person cell where he had previously been held, Nikita was afraid to speak with his cellmates, who were actively asking him about what had happened in the penal colony, because such conversations could also be added to the case as evidence of “spreading criminal subculture.” Under the new charges, Nikita faces another two to six years in prison. Nikita will once again spend his birthday — his 21st — behind bars. That is why we are asking you to wish him a happy birthday and remind him that throughout all these years, people have remembered him and are waiting for him to be free. Nikita’s birthday is very soon, so we recommend using electronic services to send letters. Letters can be sent via the services PrisonMail.Online. Instructions for Filling the form: Region: Krasnoyarsk region Prison: SIZO-1 Krasnoyarsk Prisoner last name: Уваров Prisoner first name: Никита Prisoner middle name: Андреевич Prisoner year of birth: 2005 Letters should be written in Russian - you may use online translation services. Regular mail address is 660075, РФ, г. Красноярск, ул. Республики, 72, СИЗО-1, Уваров Никита Андреевич 2005 г. р. Address should be written in Russian. Link

Send birthday wishes to antifascist political prisoner Savely Frolov Savely Frolov will turn 25 on 5 August. This will be his fourth birthday in captivity. Savely is an antifascist and anti-war activist from Moscow who worked as an extreme sports instructor for children and teenagers. He was sentenced to six years in a general-regime penal colony and fined 100,000 roubles on charges of “preparing to commit high treason.” He has been imprisoned since 30 October 2022. Savely Frolov was accused of preparing to join the Freedom of Russia Legion in order to take part in military action against the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. According to investigators, Frolov attempted to leave Russia for Georgia, intending to travel from there to Turkey, then to Poland and finally to Ukraine, where he planned to join the legion. Savely did indeed attempt to leave Russia after mobilisation was announced. At the time of his arrest, this was his second attempt to enter Georgia. The first time, on 29 September 2022, Georgian border guards refused him entry because they considered that he did not have enough money. On 30 October 2022, during another attempt to leave, Russian security officers detained Savely Frolov after searching him at the Verkhny Lars border crossing and took him to a police station in Vladikavkaz. The young man most likely attracted attention because his backpack bore the words “Glory to Ukraine.” The following day, the Sovetsky District Court of Vladikavkaz sentenced him to 15 days’ detention for petty hooliganism. According to his lawyer, Yevgeny Smirnov, FSB officers repeatedly visited Frolov at the detention centre and questioned him, sometimes without a lawyer present. After spending two weeks in the detention centre, Frolov was not released. On 14 November 2022, the court sentenced him to another 15 days’ detention, this time for failing to comply with border guards’ demands. The ruling stated that he had used a “smartphone-type telephone within the zone of additional security restrictions at the Verkhny Lars road border crossing.” On that occasion, he pleaded guilty. On 30 November 2022, he was again sentenced to 15 days’ detention for petty hooliganism. According to the police, he had been swearing in the street. Frolov denied this in court. On 12 December, a criminal case for “high treason” was opened against Savely, after which the court remanded him in pre-trial detention. Savely has faced pressure from the prison administration. In 2024, he was threatened with transfer to strict conditions of detention for receiving the publication Prison Bulletin (source). It later became known that Savely had been assigned to the lowest caste in the informal prison hierarchy. As in Azat Miftakhov’s case, we assume that this was orchestrated by the security services through prisoners controlled by the administration. However, as an antifascist, Savely rejects hierarchies and discrimination, and therefore does not worry about the informal status imposed on him by the administration and other prisoners. “He simply doesn’t give a damn about it, that’s all,” says a comrade who knows Savely well and remains in contact with him. We call on you to show solidarity and wish Savely a happy birthday. You can write him a letter or simply send him a birthday card. He will be glad to receive any news from outside. Address for letters and cards - address and letters should be written in Russian, you may use online translation tools:  182277, Псковская обл., Себежский р-н, пос. Сосновый Бор, ИК-6, Фролов Савелий Александрович 2001 г.р. Anarchist Black Cross Moscow Link

Fundraiser for Legal Defence Costs of the Tyumen Case Against Anarchists and Anti-fascists in August and September The Tyumen Case has now been heard by the Central District Military Court in Yekaterinburg of Russia for two years. The defence is currently presenting evidence in court proving the innocence of our comrades. Six substantive hearings are scheduled for August and the first half of September. We continue our fight for the freedom of Nikita Oleynik, Deniz Aydin, Yury Neznamov, Danil Chertykov, and Roman Paklin. We are launching a fundraiser to cover the legal defence costs of the defendants in the Tyumen Case. We need to raise 560 000 rubles (circa 6200 euros) to pay for the participation of five lawyers in the upcoming six court hearings. To raise this amount, the support group has launched a fundraising campaign. Once again, we need your support! As a reminder, between 30 August and 1 September 2022, six anarchists and anti-fascists were detained in Surgut, Yekaterinburg, and Tyumen of Russia. They were subjected to brutal torture, including electric shocks, water torture, beatings, and threats of sexual violence. Based on confessions extracted under torture, they were charged with "creating and participating in a terrorist community". The charges were later made even more severe. The authorities refused to investigate the torture. Kirill Brik, who entered into a plea agreement with the investigation, was sentenced to eight years in prison. The remaining defendants reject all charges against them. Roman Paklin's case has been reopened and is now being tried separately from the rest of the Tyumen Case defendants. He, along with the others, faces 15 to 30 years in prison. Nikita Oleynik, who has been designated by the prosecution as the alleged "organiser," could face life imprisonment. In Russia, no person with a life sentence has ever been released. At present, support group is paying for the work of five defence lawyers. These expenses include travel, prison visits, accommodation, and transport, as our lawyers come from different cities. They are doing everything they can to prove our comrades' innocence. Even a small donation can make a real difference! For payment instructions in rubles in Zaodno platform and Russian bank accounts, check this post in Russian. Paypal: abc-msk@riseup.net Details for donations from international bank cards: BIC of the recipient's Bank 124012 Account number 1242080003805236 Currency US dollar Recipient Vorozhko Nikita Alexandrovich / 56 INTERMEDIARY BANK: Raiffeisen Bank International AG, Vienna, Austria, SWIFT: RZBAATWW CORRESPONDENT BANK: Aktif Yatirim Bankasi A.S., Istanbul, Turkey, SWIFT: CAYTTRIS 57 BENEFICIARY BANK: OJSC BAKAI BANK, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, SWIFT: BAKAKG22. Ли Account number: TR280014300000000009443581 Cryptocurrency: BTC: bc1qqdwjqd4umnc74e95hgek85aj55wws3c4wrwa33 ETH: 0xF9EB840b76786C783c515dc8EBe3071Dc937D8f7 USDT (TRON): TRWZm6iBMdD4epTnLquvYmTQeyRXsX8q9R Please share this appeal—your repost can help draw attention to our situation. We are at a crucial stage of the trial. The defence lawyers are now presenting evidence of our comrades' innocence before the court. We believe that, with your support, we can achieve the best possible outcome and change their fate. We are sincerely grateful for your solidarity and support. Solidarity is our weapon! Addresses of the Tyumen case prisoners - addresses and letters should be written in Russian, you may use online translation services. Danil, Nikita, Deniz and Yuri are all in the same prison, remand prison (SIZO) number 5 of Yekaterinburg. 620024, РФ, Екатеринбург, Елизаветинское ш., 19, СИЗО-5, Russia: Чертыков Данил Германович 1994 г.р., Олейник Никита Витальевич 1995 г.р., Айдын Дениз Алаттинович 1999 г.р., Незнамов Юрий Евгеньевич 1995 г.р. 620019, РФ, Екатеринбург, ул. Репина, 4, СИЗО-1, Russia: Паклин Роман Владимирович 1997г.р. Anarchist Black Cross Moscow Link

Wish imprisoned anarchist Deniz Aydin a happy birthday today! Today, July 21, anarchist Deniz Aydin celebrates his birthday. He turns 27 years old. Deniz is an anarchist and anti-fascist from Tyumen. He played guitar in two bands: the hardcore group Siberian Brigade and the black metal project RASPUTIN. Shortly before his arrest, he enrolled in college to train as a locomotive driver. He planned to continue developing as a musician and dreamed of creating a support fund for political prisoners. In August 2022, Deniz was detained together with Kirill Brik while testing a homemade firecracker in a vacant lot. Later, their comrades from Yekaterinburg and Surgut were also arrested. All of them were accused of participating in a terrorist organization in what has become known as the Tyumen Case. While in police custody, Deniz was beaten and tortured in an attempt to force a confession. Despite everything, Deniz has not lost heart. While in pre-trial detention, he has been drawing, doing CrossFit, studying foreign languages, and writing poetry. He reads extensively across many genres, enjoys metal music, cinema, and art—and he also loves memes. This is already the fourth birthday Deniz has spent behind bars under Putin's regime. You can support him by sending a letter, a postcard, or even a collection of memes. Postal address – address and letters should be written in Russian, you may use online translation tools. 620024. Екатеринбург, Свердловская обл., Елизаветинское ш., 19, СИЗО-5. Айдын Дениз Алаттинович, 1999 г.р. Electronic letters can be sent via the ZonaTelecom service (https://zt.ru/). Interface is in Russian, you will have to translate interface in a browser. Payment with a foreign bank card is available. Anarchist Black Cross Moscow 🔗 Link 🔗

July 13 is Birthday of Chita Anarchists Case Defendant Lyubov Lizunova Lyubov Lizunova will turn 20 years old. In April 2024, Lyuba was sentenced to three and a half years in a general-regime penal colony over posts published on the Telegram channels. Two of the posts described anti-war direct action protests in the Transbaikal region. Initially, Lyuba was also prosecuted on a vandalism charge for the graffiti "Death to the regime" painted on the outskirts of Chita, but that case was later dropped after the statute of limitations expired. Lyuba was the first underage schoolgirl in Russia to be imprisoned for speaking out against Russia's aggression against Ukraine. At the time of her arrest in 2022, she was 16 years old and in the tenth grade. She is currently held in Penal Colony No. 7 (IK-7) in Ulan-Ude. She works as a senior fabric marker in a physically demanding garment production workshop, but still finds time for creative pursuits: she writes poetry, draws, and sings. She has even organized a yoga group inside the colony. She has seven and a half months remaining until her release. Lyuba recently told that she is doing well, and said that one of the main reasons for this is the support she receives from people all over the world. Early in her imprisonment, she wrote that the only place she had not received letters from was Antarctica. Postal address for cards and birthday greetings - address and letters should be written in Russian, you may use online automatic translation tools.   670000, РФ, г. Улан-Удэ, ул. Пристанская, 4а, ИК-7, Лизуновой Любови Витальевне, 2006 г. р. Russian Federation Electronic letters can be sent via the ZT service, which accepts payment with both Russian and foreign bank cards. Anarchist Black Cross Moscow Link

11 Days, 7 Events, 5 Cities: How the Fires of Freedom Tour Went in France 11 Days, 7 Events, 5 Cities: How the Fires of Freedom Tour Went in France In June, the Fires of Freedom took part in seven events across France. At each event, project representative and former political prisoner Ivan Astashin spoke about the connection between the war in Ukraine and political repression in Russia, Russian anarchists' opposition to the war, and the criminal cases brought against them. In some cities, the events also featured representatives of ABC-Moscow and the Solidarité Free Azat association, former Russian political prisoner Natasha Tyshkevich, and Ada, a member of the Confederation of Anarchists of Yekaterinburg who fled Russia in 2025 to escape persecution. Bordeaux, June 9 The tour began at Fantoche Café, where around 50 people attended, nearly filling the small venue. Before the presentation, the organizers screened a film about struggles in different parts of the world and spoke about a campaign against the construction of a deportation detention center near the city. This immediately set the tone of international solidarity for the evening. After the presentation, the audience spent a long time asking questions about the situation in Russia, the persecution of anarchists, and resistance to the war. Members of the local Russian-speaking community also organized a letter-writing session for prisoners in Russia. For the tour participants, this was an inspiring start, demonstrating that discussions about war, repression, and solidarity are both needed and warmly received. Limoges, June 11 In the small city of Limoges, the tour participants were welcomed by a close-knit local community. The event took place in a newly opened space that had not yet even been given a name, making it its very first public event. Around 20 people attended, creating an intimate atmosphere. After the presentation, questions gradually turned into an informal discussion that continued late into the evening. The audience listened attentively and actively participated, while the tour participants exchanged contacts with a local anti-prison group. Paris, June 12–13 At two French-language events, each attended by around 20 people, representatives of the Solidarité Free Azat association joined the tour. At CICP, alongside the main presentation, a French mathematician explained how Azat Miftakhov, while imprisoned, solved a mathematical problem that had previously remained unsolved. The following day, at the anarchist bookstore Publico, the speakers included association president Maria-Letizia Garrick and Alexandra Zapolskaya. Azat's story became the starting point for a discussion about the methods Russian authorities use to persecute political opponents and silence dissent. Both events were followed by many questions. The discussion at Publico lasted particularly long, making it clear that for part of the audience, both the situation in Russia and the war against Ukraine were still not fully understood. The tour participants hope these meetings helped people better understand what is happening and see the connection between the war, repression, and resistance. Tour Results For Fires of Freedom, the main goal of the tour was to inform primarily French-speaking anti-authoritarian audiences about the war in Ukraine, political repression in Russia and the occupied territories, the connections between them, and the resistance to both. Judging by the questions and discussions, there is indeed a lack of information on these issues, which we were able to help address in the places we visited. During the tour, €1,363 was raised through donations, food sales, and merchandise. An additional €180 was provided by the organizers in Bordeaux to help cover travel costs. Of the funds received, €636 was spent on transportation. After deducting these expenses, as well as approximately €240 spent on producing merchandise, €667 remained to support anarchist and anti-fascist prisoners in Russia. Link

Anarchist Prisoners in Russia and the War in Ukraine: Tour in France In June, a series of presentations and discussions will take place across France focusing on imprisoned anarchists and anti-fascists in Russia, anti-war resistance, and solidarity with Ukrainian society. Representatives of the Fires of Freedom project and former political prisoners from Russia will participate in events in all cities. In some locations, representatives of Anarchist Black Cross Moscow, the Solidarité FreeAzat association, and an anarchist who fled Russia to escape persecution will also join. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Russian anarchists and anti-fascists have opposed the war through public statements, solidarity actions, sabotage, and other forms of resistance. As a result, several have faced criminal prosecution, received lengthy prison sentences, and been subjected to torture and pressure. The meetings will discuss imprisoned anarchists and anti-fascists in Russia, how their cases are connected to the war against Ukraine, and why, for many of them, resistance to the Russian invasion is inseparable from solidarity with Ukrainian society. Several cases will be presented, followed by discussions on how people in Europe can support prisoners of the Russian regime. There will also be a separate discussion on how the Russian state criminalizes support for prisoners itself. At all events, attendees will be able to donate to support imprisoned anarchists and anti-fascists in Russia and purchase solidarity merchandise. In several cities, there will also be opportunities to write letters to prisoners. Schedule Bordeaux — June 9, 7:00 PM (already passed, sorry for that!) Café Fantoche 19 rue des Douves Limoges — June 11, 7:00 PM Local anarchiste 145 rue Armand Dutreix Paris — June 12, 7:00 PM Salle verte du CICP 21 ter rue Voltaire, Paris 11th arrondissement Paris — June 13, 3:00 PM Librairie Publico 145 rue Amelot, Paris 11th arrondissement Saint-Étienne — June 16, 7:00 PM La Poussière 7 rue Henri Barbusse Marseille — June 18, 5:00 PM Casa Consolat 1 rue Consolat Presentations will be delivered in Russian with French translation provided. A French-language announcement is here. Additional Russian-Language Event On June 14 at 3:00 PM in Paris (Bibliothèque Tourguenev, 11 rue de Valence, Paris 5th arrondissement), a separate event for Russian-speaking comrades will take place, featuring Fires of Freedom, Solidarité FreeAzat, and former Russian political prisoners. Link 🔗

Network Case Defendant Vasily Kuksov is turning 38 years old tomorrow This will be the ninth birthday he spends behind bars. Vasily was arrested in the autumn of 2017 and sentenced to nine years in a general-regime penal colony. During these years in prison, he has faced many hardships, contracted and recovered from tuberculosis, and been transferred between several colonies. Before his arrest, he lived in Penza, worked as a design engineer, played music, and helped animal shelters. Today, during the rare free hours available to him in the colony, Vasily enthusiastically studies programming. He already has a reading plan that will keep him occupied until his release, with a long list of books he hopes to finish. Address for letters and postcards: Address and letters should be written in Russian. You may use online translation tools. Куксов Василий Алексеевич 1988 г.р., РФ, 606246, Нижегородская область, с. Просек, ул. Заводская, д. 50, ФКУ ИК-16 ГУФСИН России по Нижегородской области Russia For Russian bank requisites of his parents, check this post in Russian.

Repression against anarchists and anti-fascists in Russia - presentation in Baltic Anarchist Bookfair 2026 A presentation about repression against anarchists and anti-fascists in Russia at the Baltic Anarchist Bookfair in Tartu next Saturday at 1 PM EET/Moscow time (12 PM CET) at Hell (Tiigi 76A You can also follow the presentation on Twitch. 🔗https://www.twitch.tv/arautiainen Short summary fo the talk:  After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more and more anarchists and anti-fascists have ended up in prison for resisting the war and the regime in Russia. Who are the anarchists and anti-fascists imprisoned for anti-war and other political activities? What initiatives exist to support them, and what can ordinary people do? Are social movements in Russia still possible despite increasing repression? Antti Rautiainen lived in Moscow from 1999 to 2012 and participated in anti-fascist and anarchist movements until he was deported. Since his deportation, he has remained active in supporting anarchist prisoners in Russia. 🔗 Link

Anarchist partisan Ruslan Sidiki needs a new lawyer – his lawyer was arrested! Lawyer Igor Popovsky, who represented the anarchist Ruslan Sidiki and sought an investigation into his allegations of torture, has been detained on charges of “fraud on an especially large scale”. This was reported by The Insider media outlet, citing the leak-oriented Telegram channel “112.” According to the channel, investigators claim that Popovsky received 6 million rubles from his client after promising to help terminate the criminal case through influence over the court and the prosecutor’s office. The detention took place shortly after Ruslan Sidiki’s case was transferred to the Military Court of Appeals, although as recently as May 19, Popovsky was still in contact. Eventually according to Mediazona, Popovsky was confined to house arrest. Igor Popovsky was among the few Russian lawyers who openly sought recognition of defendants in sabotage cases as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention. In 2024, he submitted a motion to investigators referring to the prosecution’s own claim that Sidiki had allegedly acted in the interests of Ukrainian intelligence, which, according to the defense, made it possible to regard him as a combatant. In addition, Popovsky succeeded in obtaining medical documents indicating that Sidiki had been tortured after his detention and insisted on an investigation into those circumstances. Anarchist Black Cross of Moscow considers the persecution of Igor Popovsky to be revenge by Russian security forces because he publicized matters they did not want exposed. Now one of the few brave lawyers independent of the security services is under investigation, while the imprisoned anarchist Ruslan Sidiki has been left without legal representation ahead of his appeal. Now we need to raise funds for a new lawyer for Ruslan! Over the past few months there have been almost no public developments in his case: the appeal has still not been scheduled, the detention center administration continues to restrict Ruslan’s access to books and the press, and instead of properly investigating his torture allegations, there has been a bureaucratic ping-pong between the Investigative Committee and the prosecutor’s office. Decisions refusing to open a criminal case have already been overturned three times, but those responsible still have not been held accountable. That is why the lawyer’s regular work is especially important right now. In detention center conditions, a defense lawyer is not only someone who prepares complaints and appeals. They are the only person who can regularly and freely see Ruslan, speak with him confidentially, receive information from him without prison censorship, and respond quickly if pressure against him intensifies. Letters may be blocked. Books may not be delivered. Newspapers can “disappear.” But a lawyer’s visit cannot simply be cut off by an administrative decision. For a prisoner who was already tortured after his arrest and threatened while in detention, this connection to the outside world is a matter of safety. Recent news about the torture of Azat Miftakhov in Penal Colony IK-18 in Kharp once again shows how dangerous the situation can become when a political prisoner is left alone against the system. Public attention, letters, support, and regular access to a lawyer prevent total isolation. This is not a guarantee against violence, but it is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of abuse and to quickly learn if it begins. Before arrest of Popovsky, 210,000 rubles (circa 2400 euros) were required for 3 months of lawyer costs, but now the costs may grow. For donation instructions, check full article in our website.

May 13 — Birthday of Tyumen Case Defendant Nikita Oleynik He will turn 31 years old. According to the support group, this is already the fourth birthday he is spending in captivity. Nikita is an anarchist and anti-fascist from Surgut. Together with another defendant in the “Tyumen case,” Roman Paklin, he helped create the libertarian library Storm Petrel, which collected books on anarchist theory and philosophy. Nikita studied surgery at Surgut State University and is fond of philosophy, literature, poetry, art, and music. He was also interested in boxing and spent a lot of time in nature. While imprisoned, Nikita has been engaging in self-reflection, studying new books and philosophical works, and has also taken up drawing and writing poetry. “Despite his strong character, support from loved ones, like-minded people, and friends is very important for Nik. We can give him the warmth of our letters, words of support, and birthday wishes. On this special day, let’s remind Nikita that he is not alone, that he is valued, remembered, and loved by everyone who shares his views and values,” the support group urges. Address for letters. Address should be written in Cyrillic, and letters should be written in Russian - you may use online translation tools. In case your country has no postal service with Russia, you may write letters via ABC Moscow: abc-msk@riseup.net.  620024, Россия, Екатеринбург, Елизаветинское ш., 19, СИЗО-5, Олейник Никита Витальевич, 1995 г.р.  Anarchist Black Cross Moscow Link

Anarchist Azat Miftakhov reported the torture he was subjected to after being transferred to Polar Owl - Penal Colony in Kharp On April 21, the day after arriving at the colony, Azat was taken to the administration building. They tried to force him to clean a toilet there. After he refused, he was systematically tortured. Yesterday, The Insider published a detailed account by Azat, which they translated into English today. We are republishing an article by The Insider. He says he was beaten on the heels with a wooden hammer, threatened with sexual assault and being dipped into sewage, and tortured with electric shocks. The Insider obtained Miftakhov’s detailed account of what happened to him at Polar Owl on April 21, including the names of the abusers from Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) and from among his fellow prisoners. Polar Owl is notably down the road from IK-3 Polar Wolf, the prison where opposition politician Alexei Navalny was murdered with a deadly toxin in February 2024. Link

Azat Miftakhov is being transferred to the colony where Alexei Navalny was murdered Anarchist, mathematician, and political prisoner Azat Miftakhov was sentenced on March 28, 2024, to 4 additional years in prison. On September 4, 2023, he was detained upon leaving IK-17 in Omutninsk, Kirov region, where he had already served his first sentence—allegedly for breaking a window at a United Russia office in Moscow’s Khovrino district. The basis for the new prosecution for “justifying terrorism” was (allegedly) comments Azat made while watching a TV program with other inmates about anarchist Mikhail Zhlobitsky, who carried out an explosion at the FSB office in Arkhangelsk. Testimony against Azat was given by fellow prisoners and a prison employee. Recently, the political prisoner was transferred from a prison in Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk region. In a letter dated April 19, Azat reported on his transfer from Kirov to Vorkuta: “I’m writing to you from Vorkuta. And as you understand, I’m heading to Kharp. I think no further comments are needed. Two days on the train have worn me out quite a bit. The toilet—once every 4 hours, hot water—three times a day, there’s no room to turn around in the compartments, my bones ache from constantly lying on a hard bunk and the shaking of the train. So the stop in Vorkuta is very welcome. Tomorrow morning we depart, and we’ll arrive in Kharp the same day. It seems I’ll go straight from the train to the camp without intermediate stops (apparently there are no detention centers there).” The prisoner’s support group comments on this news: “It is quite obvious that transferring Azat to Kharp is nothing other than a desire to take revenge on him for his firm stance. It is both a threat that his life depends on the will of the security apparatus and the creation of significant hardship for the remaining 1.5 years of his sentence. Kharp is one of the northernmost places of detention in Russia; it is located beyond the Arctic Circle, in permafrost conditions. It was established in 1961 on the basis of preserved buildings of a former camp unit of the Gulag’s Construction Site No. 501. In addition to Alexei Navalny, who was unable to leave the colony alive, well-known political prisoners held in Kharp include Platon Lebedev (2005–2006) and Oleg Sentsov (2017–2019).” Here is what Azat’s wife and defender, Elena Gorban, writes: “As his lawyer, I visited Azat monthly in the Ulyanovsk region, spending under 10,000 rubles (circa 110 euros) on travel (or not much more, depending on circumstances). Now I understand that a trip to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug will cost closer to 40,000 (circa 440 euros): 5000 for two nights in a hostel, 12000 and 20000 for flights… (12000 is with a middle-of-the-night layover and worst possible service). I’ll also have to cross the Ob River to and from the airport. And I hope I won’t have to open and close the swimming season immediately… since, according to a hostel worker, ice crossing is still operational. Maybe later I’ll figure out how to make these trips cheaper, but it’s unlikely I’ll manage without expensive flights… after all, two days by train one way, especially when trains don’t run daily, is not something you can do regularly. Oh, and if Azat ends up specifically in the colony in the village of Kharp, and not in Labytnangi (the nearest city), then it seems there’s no electronic mail there. That already borders on torture.” Donate bitcoin for Azat: Bitcoin: bc1qspn7lwg38ra6r836akqwusnr4zvjhmegz5v9dm For transfer credentials inside Russia, refer to post in Russian,   Translated by Anarchist Black Cross Moscow   You may find the contact addresses of all prisoners in Russia supported by ABC Moscow here. If you want to make a donation to a particular prisoner or case, please contact us beforehand via e-mail to make sure that the supporters of the prisoner or case are currently gathering donations, our e-mail is the same as the listed PayPal account. We are present in Telegram and Facebook, you may sign up to our e-mail newsletter here.

A court has remanded teenage anarchist Nikita Uvarov in custody in a new criminal case The Sovetsky District Court of Krasnoyarsk has ordered a pre-trial detention measure for Nikita Uvarov in a new criminal case that was opened against him in a penal colony a month before his scheduled release. Nikita will now not be released on March 19 and will remain in pre-trial detention. In February, a new criminal case was fabricated against Nikita — for alleged participation in the “extremist organization A.U.E.”. The concept of ”extremist organisation A.U.E.” is completely fabricated. A.U.E. is a common slogan of prisoners subculture that might be approximately translated as  ”Prisoner's Code is United”, but prisoners subculture is by no means any unified extremist organisation. The absurdity of the charges and the timing of their initiation clearly indicate that law enforcement simply did not want to release him. In February 2022, the 1st Eastern District Military Court sentenced Nikita Uvarov—who was arrested when 14 years old in 2020  — to 5 years in prison on charges of “training in terrorism.” Other defendants in the case received suspended sentences. The case was initiated after the teenagers were detained for posting leaflets criticizing the state and supporting political prisoners. In August 2023, the human rights project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial,” which continues the work of the dissolved Memorial Human Rights Center, recognized Nikita Uvarov as a political prisoner. Nikita is currently being held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Krasnoyarsk, and letters can be sent to him. ✉️ 660075, РФ, г. Красноярск, ул. Республики, 72, СИЗО-1, Уваров Никита Андреевич 2005 г. р. 📧 Letters can also be sent via the services PrisonMail.Online. Instructions for Filling the  form: Region: Krasnoyarsk region Prison: SIZO-1 Krasnoyarsk Prisoner last name: Уваров Prisoner first name: Никита Prisoner middle name: Андреевич Prisoner year of birth: 2005

Congratulate imprisoned anarchist Ruslan Sidiki on his birthday March 16 He will turn 38 years old. Ruslan Sidiki is a citizen of Russia and Italy, an electrician from Ryazan, an explorer of industrial areas, bicycle traveler, anarchist, and partisan. Last year the 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced Ruslan Sidiki to a record 29 years in prison. Two acts of sabotage against Russian military infrastructure carried out by Ruslan in 2023 were classified by the court as “terrorist acts.” In letters, Ruslan described the feelings he experienced immediately after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army: “There was a very unpleasant feeling that you could do nothing. I saw trains carrying military equipment, and out of despair I wanted to gnaw through the gun barrels with my teeth.” After his arrest, security forces brutally tortured Ruslan in order to obtain a confession. Currently, Ruslan is awaiting the appeal hearing of his sentence in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 2 (SIZO-2) in the city of Ryazhsk in the Ryazan region. There he was also threatened with torture, but the threats did not go beyond words, and after this incident became public and a lawyer visited him, the threats stopped. At the same time, the administration is trying to create unbearable conditions for the anarchist by other means; for example, books are not being allowed through to Ruslan. Address for letters: 391999, Ryazan Region, Ryazhsk, Krasnaya St., 1a, SIZO-2 Sidiki Ruslan Kasemovich, born 1988 Letters can also be sent via the service PrisonMail.Online, instructions for filling the form: Region: Ryazan oblast Prison: Detention Center-2 Ryazhsk Prisoner last name: Сидики Prisoner first name: Руслан Prisoner middle name: Касемович Prisoner year of birth: 1988 Fundraising for legal fees Ruble donations: on the platform “Zaodno” International transfers: IBAN: LT36 3250 0986 4982 1011 BIC: REVOLT21 Card holder: Anastasiia Bogdanova PayPal: abc-msk@riseup.net (note: “for Sidiki”) Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin: bc1qx63u6p0tlqd40hpcgeln7sksy2hgm0gekgpw8s Ethereum: 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Litecoin: LVxHRweSkkwkNHxY432U2swpEUAMWupsrP USDT (ERC20): 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Monero: 47AqYo1kkbWYeypvDTrNtcBAKPJaHXRNjQsdRhrBm6SNVffeRLfadrqXoQ2FHgPiud6T3vLB5VjS2QKJM9MnZVJJJ8cV9tw When sending cryptocurrency to support Ruslan Sidiki, please also email: firesoffreedom@protonmail.com Anarchist Black Cross Moscow Link

New Fundraiser for the Defense of Anarchist Ruslan Sidiki Anarchist Ruslan Sidiki, who was sentenced to 29 years in prison, continues to await his appeal in the Ryazhsk pre-trial detention center (SIZO) in the Ryazan region. But this is not just waiting — it is a constant struggle. Ruslan is being denied access to books, newspapers subscribed in his name do not reach him, and for the second time in a row the same investigator has refused to open a criminal case regarding the torture Ruslan endured during his arrest. A key role in supporting and defending Ruslan is played by his lawyer. He regularly visits him in the detention center, appeals against the actions of the security forces, and prepares for the appeal hearing. In fact, the lawyer is the only person who can visit the prisoner without restrictions, communicate with him confidentially, and act on his behalf in the legal sphere. Let us recall that Ruslan received a record sentence (for cases with no fatalities) for two acts of sabotage against military logistics: a drone attack on a military airfield and the blowing up of railway tracks, which caused 19 freight train cars to derail. The paid period of work for Ruslan Sidiki’s lawyer is now coming to an end, and a new fundraiser is launched for the next three months. Taking into account the 35,000 rubles (circa 380 euros) remaining from the previous fundraiser, another 175,000 rubles (circa 1900 euros) need to be raised. Ruble donations on the “Zaodno” platform Foreign currency transfers: IBAN: LT36 3250 0986 4982 1011 BIC: REVOLT21 Card holder: Anastasiia Bogdanova PayPal: firesoffreedom@protonmail.com (with the note “for Sidiki”) Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin: bc1qx63u6p0tlqd40hpcgeln7sksy2hgm0gekgpw8s Ethereum: 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Litecoin: LVxHRweSkkwkNHxY432U2swpEUAMWupsrP USDT (ERC20): 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Monero: 47AqYo1kkbWYeypvDTrNtcBAKPJaHXRNjQsdRhrBm6SNVffeRLfadrqXoQ2FHgPiud6T3vLB5VjS2QKJM9MnZVJJJ8cV9tw When transferring cryptocurrency to support Ruslan Sidiki, be sure to email: firesoffreedom@protonmail.com Address for letters – letters and address should be written in Russian. You may use online translation tools.  391999, Рязанская обл., г. Ряжск, ул. Красная, д. 1а, СИЗО-2,  Сидики Руслан Касемович 1988 г. Russia Letters can also be sent via the services PrisonMail.Online, instructions for filling the form: Region: Ryazan oblast Prison: Detention Center-2 Ryazhsk Prisoner last name: Сидики Prisoner first name: Руслан Prisoner middle name: Касемович Prisoner year of birth: 1988

Antifascist Bogdan Yakimenko Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison. Other Defendants in the Antifa United Case Receive 2.5 and 3.5 Years Judge Ekaterina Stepina of the Izmailovsky District Court of Moscow delivered a verdict to three antifascists in the case of Antifa United, which law enforcement agencies—and now the court as well—consider an “extremist community.” The investigation and the court deemed Bogdan Yakimenko to be the organizer of Antifa United. Judge Stepina sentenced him to 9 years of imprisonment. The other defendants, who had remained at liberty prior to the verdict and were treated as “rank-and-file members of an extremist community,” received significantly lighter but still custodial sentences. Roman Chizhikov was sentenced to 3.5 years in a general-regime penal colony, and Ilya Popov to 2.5 years. It is worth noting that Chizhikov and Popov cooperated with the investigation and gave testimony against Bogdan. In court, they stated that they repented. Nevertheless, law enforcement authorities used them and still sent them to prison. The fourth defendant in the case was Matvey Ostrovsky. He died during the trial. Despite this, the court found Ostrovsky guilty and terminated the criminal proceedings due to his death. Bogdan Yakimenko and the other defendants were detained in June 2024. Yakimenko had previously been prosecuted after an attack on him and Mikhail Ivanov by a group of neo-Nazis in 2020. The antifascists spent a year under house arrest, were then placed under travel restrictions, and after an initial verdict—later overturned—spent eight months in a pre-trial detention center (SIZO). In 2023, Bogdan was sentenced to four years of forced labor. At the time of his new arrest, that verdict was under appeal and had not entered into legal force. Bogdan never hid his views and linked the attention from Anti-extremist Center “E” and the FSB to his antifascist activism. He did not want to leave Russia, studied at a law faculty, and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. In his final statement, Bogdan said that a guilty verdict would mean that antifascists in Russia are outside the law. 💌✊ Support Bogdan with a letter! After such a harsh sentence, it is important to feel solidarity and support. ✉️📦 Address for letters and parcels You should write address in cyrillic letters, and the letters should be written in Russian – you may use automated online tranlation tools. 107076, Россия, г. Москва, ул. Матросская тишина, д. 18, СИЗО-1, Якименко Богдан Тарасович 1999 г.р. Russia 📧 Letters can also be sent via the service PrisonMail.Online. Instructions on how to fill the form: Region: Moscow Prison: SIZO-1 FSIN (99/1) Matrosskaya Tishina Prisoner last name: Якименко Prisoner first name Богдан Prisoner Middle name: Тарасович Prisoner's year of birth: 1999 Antifascism is not a crime!

Congratulate anarchist political prisoner and anarchist Danil Chertykov on his birthday! On February 8, Danil Chertykov turns 32 years old. He is marking his fourth birthday in captivity. Danil Chertykov is an anarchist and antifascist from Yekaterinburg. He worked as a veterinarian, and in his free time devoted himself to music, playing guitar in the riot-folk band Rocker Balboa. On August 31, 2022, Danil was having dinner at a restaurant with friends and his partner. When they went out for an evening walk around the city, they were detained and beaten by armed, masked men who turned out to be law enforcement officers. Danil was tortured and later charged with participation in a terrorist organisation and preparation of a terrorist act. Despite the harsh conditions of imprisonment, Danil remains strong in spirit. While already in custody, he officially registered his marriage with his partner Alyona, who became his public defender. Danil has also taken up drawing, reads many books, and continues to stay physically active. ❤️🖤 Congratulate our comrade on his birthday — support him with a letter or a postcard! ✉️ Mailing address – should be written in Russian 620024, Екатеринбург, Елизаветинское шоссе 19, СИЗО-5, Чертыков Данил Германович 1994 г.р. Letters should also be written in Russian, you may use online translation tools.

A new fundraiser to pay for a new lawyer for antifascist Anton Kalakin Anton is currently being held at Detention Center No. 1 (SIZO-1) in Irkutsk. He needs qualified legal assistance in order to challenge the verdict of the Second District Military Court, which in October sentenced him to six years in prison over two comments posted on Telegram. Anton left the first comment in the Telegram channel “Irkutsk Blog” in July 2024. Under a post about Governor Igor Kobzev, who considers spending on the war to be a higher priority than repairing schools, Anton wrote: “Without trial or investigation, hang [him] on a lamppost along Karl Marx Street!” The second comment concerned a prisoner-of-war exchange: “Azov fighters, defenders of Mariupol and other regions of Ukraine. These are the people who must be freed!” Anton wrote these words in the channel of Ukrainian video blogger Volodymyr Zolkin in October 2024. Two appeals were filed against the verdict. The first, submitted by a privately contracted defense lawyer, Chernova, was drafted negligently and unprofessionally and consisted of just one page. The appeal prepared by lawyer Valery Teterin—whose work the support group raised about 20,000 (circa 220 euros) rubles to pay for—is much better, but still far from ideal. Therefore, Anton’s mother and the support group have decided that he needs the help of a more professional lawyer who can represent his interests at a hearing of the Military Court of Appeal in the Moscow Region. As a reminder, in April 2025, security forces broke into the apartment in Irkutsk where Anton lived with his mother and confiscated electronic equipment. Soon afterward, the antifascist was charged under the article on “justification of terrorism”. In May, he was added to the list of “extremists and terrorists.” The investigative documents contained errors. For example, on one page of the case file, Kalakin’s surname was listed as Morozova. A woman with that surname was convicted by the Second District Military Court in the spring—also under the article on “justification of terrorism” and also for an online comment. We are asking you to to show solidarity and help Anton. Goal of the fundraiser is 87000 rubles (circa 950 euros). Ruble fundraiser on the “Zaodno” platform PayPal: firesoffreedom@protonmail.com (with the note “for Anton Kalakin”) Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin: bc1qx63u6p0tlqd40hpcgeln7sksy2hgm0gekgpw8s Ethereum: 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Litecoin: LVxHRweSkkwkNHxY432U2swpEUAMWupsrP USDT (ERC20): 0xE8A926f292272391707ed1A7b55Db1466F0c0993 Monero: 47AqYo1kkbWYeypvDTrNtcBAKPJaHXRNjQsdRhrBm6SNVffeRLfadrqXoQ2FHgPiud6T3vLB5VjS2QKJM9MnZVJJJ8cV9tw When sending cryptocurrency donations in support of Anton Kalakin, please write to the email: firesoffreedom@protonmail.com Mailing address for letters: 664019, Россия, г. Иркутск, ул. Баррикад, 63, СИЗО-1, Калакин Антон Андреевич, 1989 г.р. Letters and address should be written in Russian, in order to pass prison censor. You may use automated translation tools. You may also write to Anton with online service prisonmail.online, With following details: Region: Irkutsk region Prison: SIZO-2 Bratsk First name: Антон Last name: Калакин Middle name: Андреевич Year of birth: 1989