The Federal Security Service of Russia has initiated a criminal case against a 40-year-old resident of Taganrog on charges of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces through posts on social networks. This information was shared with the press service of the Rostov region department by the agency Lente.ru. In connection with the investigation, the woman was placed under house arrest pending further proceedings.
FSB investigators say that in March 2023 the same individual was brought to administrative responsibility under Article 20.3.3 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses for a similar offense and was fined 30,000 rubles in court. Despite this, she continued to publish negative material about the Russian Armed Forces on the Internet. As a result, officials filed a civil lawsuit against her, and she faces potential imprisonment for up to four years if convicted under current charges.
Recent reports indicate that another case involved a doctor from Kamchatka who was fined for discrediting the RF Armed Forces after a colleague provided a voice recording of the interlocutor’s statements. The legal action underscores ongoing enforcement of restrictions related to how the armed forces are described in public discourse, as observed in multiple regions.
Earlier in the year, there were public statements about a city mayor in Ukraine being sought in connection with allegations of misinformation. This context highlights the broader pattern of authorities pursuing individuals for content deemed critical of state institutions on digital platforms, a trend that has continued into the current period as part of information governance measures across several jurisdictions.