The first 'foreign agents' in 2025 were journalists and human rights activists.
Journalists from BBC* Andrey Kozenko and Anastasia Lotareva opposed the war in Ukraine, disseminated 'inaccurate information' about the Russian authorities, reported the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, Kozenko was accused of 'fake news' about Russia's electoral system and interaction with 'foreign agents', while Lotareva was accused of 'creating a negative image of the Russian Armed Forces' and interaction with an 'undesirable' organization.
The journalist from 'Current Time'** Irina Romaliyskaya was accused by the department of cooperating with 'foreign agents' and an 'undesirable' organization, 'creating a negative image' of the Russian army, and supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the Ministry of Justice, 'Voice of America' journalist Ksenia Kiriya participated as a respondent on an information platform provided by foreign media, interacted with 'foreign agents', and disseminated 'inaccurate information' about the Russian authorities.
The dissemination of information considered 'inaccurate' by the department, cooperation with 'foreign agents', and an anti-war stance led to the inclusion of journalist Anton Rubin in the registry.
A research associate at the Berlin Carnegie Center***, economic expert, and author of The Bell* Alexandra Prokopenko helped in creating and disseminating materials of 'foreign agents' and 'undesirable' organizations, claimed the department, adding 'inaccurate information' about decisions made by Russian authorities to the list of accusations.
The human rights project 'Go to the Woods', which helps Russians avoid going to war in Ukraine, was included in the registry on the grounds that its founder Grigory Sverdlov had already been recognized as a 'foreign agent'. The Ministry of Justice also noted that 'Go to the Woods' disseminated 'inaccurate information' about events in Russia, created a 'negative image' of the Russian army, and opposed the war.
The unified registry of 'foreign agents' has been maintained since December 1, 2022, and includes individuals, registered and unregistered non-profit and non-governmental organizations. Currently, it contains over 900 entries. 'Foreign agents' are required to publish texts and messages with a notification that they are produced by a 'foreign agent'. Fines are imposed for evading the obligations of a 'foreign agent', and repeated violations of the law result in criminal liability. By the end of 2024, 170 people received two fines under the administrative article for violating the order of 'foreign agent' activities.
The State Duma passed a law prohibiting the placement of advertisements with 'foreign agents', and 'foreign agents' themselves were banned from participating in elections. Additionally, all income of 'foreign agents' in Russia, including the sale and rental of real estate, will be deposited into a special ruble account, which can only be accessed after the status of 'foreign agent' is removed.
* Recognized as a 'foreign agent' in Russia.
** Recognized as a 'foreign agent' and 'undesirable' organization in Russia.
*** Recognized as an 'undesirable' organization in Russia.