The Ministry of Justice of Russia has expanded its registry of foreign agents, adding six individuals to the list. The announced names span activists, politicians, researchers, and media figures, highlighting the range of groups now labeled as foreign agents within the federation.
Oleg Orlov, who previously chaired the board of the Memorial human rights center, is among those newly listed. Memorial is among the institutions officially recognized as foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice. The inclusion underscores ongoing state efforts to identify and monitor organizations and individuals associated with external funding or influence.
Anton Kartavin, a deputy in the Novosibirsk City Council, is another name on the register. The ministry cited broad concerns about disseminating information deemed false or misleading regarding decisions by public authorities, and about participation of foreign agents in the production of materials. Kartavin has publicly questioned the rationale behind his placement on the list.
Stanislav Kozlovsky, head of Wikimedia.ru and a figure involved in the development of Wikipedia in Russia, was also added. He indicated plans to appeal the decision and denied any collaboration with undesirable groups. Kozlovsky noted that accusations often hinge on media interviews and perceived alignment with organizations considered undesirable by authorities.
Nikita Sokolov, a Candidate of Historical Sciences and former deputy scientific director at the Yeltsin Central Museum, is included as well. In the years since, Sokolov has remained a visible figure in historical circles and public discourse about Russia’s cultural institutions.
Mikhail Chimarov, a photographer and activist associated with the International LGBT Movement, is listed under the designation that the movement itself is banned as extremist in Russia. Chimarov’s inclusion marks one of the first recognitions of what authorities label as propaganda by LGBT-related actors within the country.
Sergei Stepanov, a journalist from Tambov, completes the group of six on the registry. Stepanov’s activities and reporting have intersected with political movements that drew scrutiny in recent years, including coverage connected to opposition figures and public demonstrations.
The ministry’s stated grounds for adding these individuals include the alleged spread of information about Russian authorities that is considered false, the involvement of foreign brokers in content creation, opposition to military actions in Ukraine, and other perceived violations. The implications of being labeled a foreign agent extend beyond mere designation, affecting how individuals and organizations operate within Russia.
Anton Kartavin reacted publicly, suggesting the ministry’s reasons were unfounded. He asserted that his Telegram channel hosts articles about local life and issues relevant to residents of Novosibirsk, and he criticized the ministry for deeming such information unreliable. Kartavin remains a current deputy of the Novosibirsk City Council. He also recalled a prior blocking of his VKontakte page in 2023 due to posts about activities of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, an organization the ministry has described as extremist and foreign-agent affiliated in Russia. Kartavin emphasized that his priority is support from the people of Novosibirsk and its communities, remarking that ministries may change but local life endures.
Stanislav Kozlovsky has stated his intention to challenge the ministry’s ruling. He asserted that he has not engaged with organizations considered undesirable, and suggested that any interviews given to media outlets would be judged by the authorities as undesired only after substantial time had elapsed. In December of 2023, Kozlovsky announced the closure of Wikimedia.ru, acknowledging the likelihood of being designated a foreign agent. He described a process of dissolution that would extend over several months and noted that the deanery of the Faculty of Psychology at Moscow State University informed him of this development, a step he accepted under pressure to resign from his post at the nonprofit organization.
Oleg Orlov’s status with Memorial centers on his objections to government policy and his role in producing materials viewed by authorities as affiliated with foreign agents. The Justice Ministry has charged Orlov with involvement in information campaigns and emphasizes his leadership within a group currently listed on the registry. Earlier in 2023, the Moscow Golovinsky District Court fined Orlov for discrediting military actions and later sanctioned him again in separate cases under similar charges. These actions reflect the broader legal framework used to regulate public commentary and media within the country, a topic that continues to draw international attention and discussion.
Nikita Sokolov, Mikhail Chimarov, and Sergei Stepanov are all associated with Memorial. Sokolov’s career in science administration at the Yeltsin Central Museum and ongoing contributions to historical scholarship anchor his public profile. Chimarov’s designation as a foreign agent has drawn particular scrutiny given his role in LGBT advocacy and the related political debates. Stepanov’s reporting on political events, his involvement with opposition movements, and subsequent legal actions illustrate the complex interplay between journalism, civil activism, and state regulation in Russia. The contemporary landscape for media professionals and researchers in Russia remains tightly policed, with foreign-agent designations shaping public access to funding, collaboration, and dissemination of information.
Observers in North America note how such developments resonate beyond Russia’s borders, shaping how researchers and journalists interact with Russian sources and how foreign funding is perceived in international contexts. The evolving registry underscores the shifting environment for civil society, research, and media within Russia and highlights the ongoing global conversation about freedom of expression, state regulation, and the role of international influence in domestic affairs. This context matters for policymakers, scholars, and journalists who track international human rights norms, press freedom, and the legality of public dissent across borders, including in Canada and the United States. (Source: Ministry of Justice statements and court records.)