Sergei Mihaylov, the founder and columnist for the Listok newspaper in the Altai Republic, faces prosecution over alleged disinformation about the Russian Armed Forces. The case centers on the claim that Mihaylov published a sequence of materials on his website and in the print edition of Listok during March and April of last year, which information-dense content investigators describe as discrediting the Russian military. He is currently held in a pre-trial detention center as prosecutors advance the charges. This development marks a continued focus by authorities on media reporting related to the armed forces, drawing attention to the boundaries of permissible commentary in the region and the severity with which these offenses are treated according to the prevailing legal framework .
In a broader briefing, the Investigative Committee’s chair, Alexander Bastrykin, stated that more than 150 criminal cases have been opened over statements that allegedly discredit the Russian army. He noted that 136 individuals have been brought to criminal responsibility in relation to these cases. Of the total, 53 cases have progressed to court, with 16 already formally filed. Bastrykin emphasized that penalties for discrediting the Armed Forces are severe and that this approach has been repeatedly applied in practice. The statements highlighted that the goal of such measures is to curb misinformation while maintaining statutory boundaries around national defense discourse, a point repeatedly stressed by the committee’s leadership .
The evolving situation underscores the tension between press freedom and regulatory controls on information touching national security. Analysts observe that while authorities argue the measures are essential for public order and for preventing harmful rumors, journalists and media outlets continue to navigate a tightening regulatory environment. Observers in the Altai region and beyond are watching closely how these cases will influence investigative procedures, newsroom practices, and the willingness of regional media to cover sensitive topics relating to the military. The case against Mihaylov serves as a focal point for ongoing debates about media responsibility, legal consequences for disinformation, and the protections afforded to reporting on defense matters under current Russian law .