Special project "NeMoskva"
StatisticsOf fear
How repressive law operates in Russian courts. We analyze judicial statistics on the articles increasingly used for pressure and intimidation: we count cases, examine sentences, and examine who is being punished and for what.
One square — 25 criminal cases of extremism
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, their number has doubled. The 2026 series is only the first quarter.
Source: court parser of the "If to Be Precise" project, calculations by "NeMoskva"
Discrediting the army
More than 12 people have been convicted under Article 280.3 since the start of the war.
Administrative cases are decreasing, while criminal cases are increasing. Annexed Crimea leads by a significant margin in the number of administrative cases, while the Arkhangelsk Region leads in the number of criminal cases. Courts most often impose fines, but approximately a quarter of those convicted receive prison sentences.
Military "fakes"
More than 300 people were convicted under the "star" article 207.3
The article was published in March 2022 as a response by the authorities to anti-war statements. The maximum penalty under it is 15 years in prison. The law has been applied systematically: since 2023, 100–110 people have been charged annually. Nearly half of the available sentences are against prominent Russians.
Extremism cases
During the four years of war, the number of cases doubled.
Under the term "extremism," the state has lumped together radical groups, political and human rights organizations, and non-existent "international movements." Cases of financing have increased—people are being tried for donating a few hundred rubles to the Anti-Corruption Foundation—and repeated displays of symbols: for thieves' stars and tattoos displayed in a bathhouse or in a pretrial detention center courtyard.
Part Four - In Progress
Nazism Rehabilitation
Continuing our case count: the next publication in the series is about Article 354.1 and how it applies to online statements.
Read also our special project
Journalism under investigation
