Moscow’s military court sentenced a 43-year-old theatre director, Anastasia Berezhinskaya, to eight years in a penal colony. Berezhinskaya, a mother of two, was convicted for anti-war posts on social media that included calls for the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside accusations of war crimes against Ukraine. Her sentence sheds light on the severity with which Russian authorities are prosecuting individuals who publicly oppose the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.
Berezhinskaya was convicted under Russia’s wartime censorship laws, which punish “discrediting” the Russian army, spreading “false information” about it, and “justifying terrorism.” These laws were introduced in March 2022 shortly after the invasion of Ukraine. Russian courts and law enforcement have since used them extensively to stifle criticism of the military and deter opposition to what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Berezhinskaya’s case follows a pattern of strict legal actions against Russians who speak out against the war. According to OVD-Info, a human rights group, over 1,000 individuals have faced criminal prosecution in Russia since the invasion began for voicing opposition to the war. Many thousands more have been detained for taking part in protests or posting anti-war content online. The courts, police, and intelligence services have increasingly targeted public figures, academics, and even ordinary citizens. Earlier this week, a Moscow court sentenced a 68-year-old pediatrician to five-and-a-half years in prison after being denounced for her remarks on Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
Berezhinskaya’s posts were made in the months following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, during which she voiced anger over Russia’s military actions. She publicly criticized the Russian army, Putin, and other government entities on VKontakte, a social media platform popular in Russia, accusing them of waging a “genocide” against Ukraine. On May 14, 2022, she posted more than 30 times, lambasting Putin and assigning him personal blame for the deaths of civilians in Ukraine. She did not mince words, directly condemning Putin and making specific calls for his assassination. One of her posts that day read, “Shoot that stupid bastard Putin, how many more murders of civilians do we have to bear?” Berezhinskaya admitted guilt for spreading “false information” and discrediting the military but only partially admitted to justifying terrorism, which is the most serious charge against her.
Berezhinskaya’s sentencing exemplifies the increasingly harsh consequences for those who voice opposition to the Kremlin. Public dissent in Russia has been met with swift and punitive action, as authorities strive to control the narrative around the war and repress any anti-war sentiment. Moscow’s official line is that its operations in Ukraine are aimed at “de-Nazifying” the country and protecting Russian-speaking populations, and the Kremlin denies targeting civilians. However, evidence of large-scale attacks on civilian infrastructure, apartment blocks, schools, and hospitals has emerged, leading to thousands of civilian deaths in Ukraine.
The personal impact of Berezhinskaya’s sentence is also significant. Independent Russian news outlet Mediazona reported that Berezhinskaya suffers from a mixed personality disorder, and her family has been significantly affected by her sentencing. Her husband reportedly suffers from epilepsy, and she has two children, aged eight and ten. Her lawyer has yet to confirm whether they plan to appeal the sentence.
This case underscores the widening chasm in Russia between state power and public freedoms, as the Kremlin intensifies its efforts to suppress dissent amid ongoing military and political tensions. For those who choose to speak against the war, the risks are growing, as Berezhinskaya’s severe sentence and similar cases indicate a state firmly committed to quelling opposition, regardless of its human impact.
