The organizations Ideas for Change and Truth Hounds were founded in Kyiv in 2014 and 2015.
According to the department, 'one of the key tasks of Truth Hounds is the creation and dissemination of fake materials' about crimes of Russian servicemen in Ukraine, as well as calls not to recognize the results of referendums 'on the acceptance of the DPR and LPR into Russia' and to increase arms supplies to Kyiv.
Both organizations support economic sanctions against Russia. They also cooperate with European organizations that have already been declared 'undesirable'.
The register of 'undesirable' organizations has been maintained in Russia since 2015, and it already includes almost three hundred entries. Foreign or international organizations that, according to the authorities, pose a 'threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the country's defense capability, or state security' can be recognized as 'undesirable'. Such organizations are prohibited from operating in the country.
Participation in the activities of an 'undesirable organization' is punishable by administrative liability in the form of a fine from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. In case of repeated violation within a year after the first fine for participation in the activities of an 'undesirable' organization, criminal liability arises, starting with fines from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles to imprisonment from one year to four years. Moreover, this also applies to participation in activities outside Russia.