The Russian Ministry of Justice has, once again, updated its list of foreign agents on a Friday evening. The additions include Maxim Pokrovsky, founder of the group Leg lowered!, Georgy Chentemirov, president of the Karelia Journalists’ Union, and several organizations such as the Greenhouse of Social Technologies project, the LGBT Alliance for Heterosexuals and Equality public association, and the Real Russia association.
The ministry notes that Pokrovsky openly backs Ukraine, describing it as a non-hostile country. He has reportedly worked with international groups, issued criticism of Russia, and participated in fundraising efforts to support Ukraine.
Pokrovsky publicly described the phrase “the leg is cramped!” in relation to the actions of the Russian authorities following February 24, 2022. Subsequently, he released two videos, Ukraine and Generation Z, in which he voiced support for Ukraine. He has also recorded several songs in Ukrainian, reflecting his partial Ukrainian heritage.
In recent interviews, the musician stated that he has resided in the United States for the past seven years. In Russia, authorities prepared a protocol to discredit the RF Armed Forces in connection with his song We don’t need war.
Other foreign agents
The Ministry highlights Boyko as someone who discredits the idea of serving the Fatherland, disparages military service, and calls for participation in protests. The co-founder of the Internet Defense Association is likewise accused of urging opposition to the current government.
Chentemirov, newly listed as a foreign agent, took part in creating and distributing materials for foreign agents and reportedly received support from overseas sources. He also opposed the special military operation led by the Russian army.
The ministry asserts that the Greenhouse of Social Technologies project circulated information and materials produced by foreign agents, including publishing fake news about public authority decisions and undermining the activities of the RF Armed Forces.
Another group, Real Russia, called for opposition to the present government and for changes to the constitutional order. It is claimed that the association collected donations to aid Ukraine.
Websites for Greenhouse and Real Russia are blocked. The public association Alliance of Heterosexuals and LGBT for Equality conducted activities aimed at promoting LGBT relations, which allegedly ran counter to state policy, and sought to preserve traditional Russian moral values and constitutional priorities in areas such as family, motherhood, and childhood. The alliance is also accused of distributing materials created by foreign agents.
“Lullaby” by Slepakov
Reports on Shot Telegram, citing its own sources, indicate that a police inquiry was opened concerning the humorist Semyon Slepakov after he moved to Israel following the start of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The inquiry reportedly concerns harm to the reputation of the Russian Armed Forces, and later this was corroborated by a TASS source.
Previously, Vitaly Borodin, head of FPBK, filed a formal complaint after Slepakov posted the song Lullaby on his YouTube channel. The piece depicts a lullaby to Slepakov’s three-year-old child, references his two middle brothers who allegedly betrayed the Fatherland and moved abroad to work in IT, and describes the eldest brother as returning from Ukraine as a hero. Borodin stated that he hopes the law will function for everyone and that Slepakov will be held accountable under the laws of the Russian Federation.
Following the complaint, Konstantin Dolgov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council committee on economic policy, suggested banning Slepakov from performing in Russian cities. Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Chechnya, published a poem addressed to Slepakov on Telegram, accusing him of patriotism and a lack of poetic talent. The poem includes lines that question Slepakov’s reception in Tel Aviv and expresses discomfort with his public statements. The exchange reflects a broader debate about artistic expression and national loyalty.