The Komi court handed Nikita Tushkanov a sentence of five and a half years in prison for statements made online to a Komi regional teacher. The decision was reported by TASS from the courtroom.
Investigators state that Tushkanov justified an attack linked to the Crimean Bridge incident and attempted to undermine confidence in the Russian Armed Forces. In addition to the imprisonment, he was prohibited from engaging in activities related to operating internet platforms or sites that could influence public opinion.
Earlier, two individuals were detained in Moscow for wearing clothing in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Protocols were issued against both for actions intended to discredit the Russian Armed Forces under Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Offenses Code.
Oleksandr, 39, employed as a janitor at a psycho-neurological boarding school, was detained on May 9 due to the perceived inappropriateness of his jacket color. He was taken to a local department, and a protocol was prepared under the same Administrative Offenses Code provision concerning actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He faces a potential fine of up to 50,000 rubles.
On the same day, in Bolshaya Dmitrovka, 26-year-old Vitaly from Volgograd was apprehended for similar reasons. He is being processed under the same article for displaying yellow and dark blue trousers, and could also face sanctions for discrediting the RF Armed Forces.
These cases underscore a broader enforcement pattern observed in recent months, where public statements online and symbolic attire are treated as potential offenses against state institutions. Experts note that the legal framework in question—focused on public actions potentially discrediting the armed forces—has been applied in multiple instances, guiding prosecutors and law enforcement in assessing intent, public impact, and the demonstrable effect of such expressions. Observers also point to the high threshold for proving discrediting content, as courts weigh factors such as context, audience reach, and the perceived intent behind the statements or symbols involved. reporting from court proceedings