Susanna Riva The Ministry of Justice has implemented a new wave of measures against the opposition, labeling two political groups opposing Vladimir Putin's presidency as foreign agents . The decision, announced Friday, is part of a broader crackdown that has seen an acceleration in measures aimed at stifling critical voices in recent months.
The published list includes, in addition to political parties, a number of individuals, media outlets, and social media channels, all accused of spreading "false" news about the government and undermining the Russian electoral system . Legal experts have characterized this inclusion as a form of "civic death," as those included lose the right to consular support and can no longer sell property located in Russia.
Peaceful Russia and Rassvet added to list of foreign agents
The Peaceful Russia party , launched earlier this year by former political prisoners and Ilya Yashin, a former Moscow council adviser, aims to unite the fragmented anti-war opposition. Yashin has categorically rejected the nomination, accusing the Kremlin of acting " as foreign agents " and turning the country into a mere resource outpost for China.
Meanwhile, the Rassvet political system , founded by 2024 presidential candidate Yekaterina Duntsova, rejected the accusations of foreign funding , calling the Ministry's actions illegitimate. In a statement, the coalition declared that the authorities are " moving toward a complete ban on opposition activity ." Neither group is currently registered as an official party.
Other subjects labeled as “foreign agents”
Alongside political parties, the list includes poet and feminist activist Galina Rymbu, economic commentator Boris Grozovsky, journalist Marat Temirov, and activists Lyudmila Garina and Nikita Rodkin. The Telegram channel of occult healer Svetlana Lada-Rus and the investigative website Razoblacheno, accused of promoting unauthorized protests, were also included. All these individuals have faced restrictions preventing them from traveling, managing assets, and receiving consular assistance.
The practical consequences for those included
Being included in the register of foreign agents entails a ban on selling real estate in Russia, the cancellation of all diplomatic support from embassies, and the requirement to report any financial activity to the authorities. The sanctions aim to isolate opposition figures, making any political or personal operations difficult.
The register created by Putin: origins and impact
President Putin established the register in August, with the first listing on October 23, when 12 opposition figures were labeled "foreign agents." Since then, the number of names has steadily increased, now including exiled journalists such as Yury Dud and Alexander Nevzorov, as well as politicians Leonid Volkov and Dmitry Gudkov. Analysts describe the move as part of a broader strategy aimed at eliminating any form of political organization outside of state control.
The recent expansion of the register is a clear signal of the Kremlin's intention to neutralize all forms of dissent, reflected in legal practices that limit freedom of expression, foreign funding, and political participation. For the activists and media affected, the prospect is of an escalation of repression that will make it increasingly difficult to operate within or beyond Russia's borders.