Vladimir Balinskii
Vladimir Balinskii, born 1974, Moscow. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 items v, d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); Article 243.4 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Destruction or damage to war graves or memorials with aggravating circumstances); “Vladimir Balinskii's case on "fakes" about the Russian Armed Forces and damage to the monument to the defenders of the Fatherland”. Sentence (April 8, 2026): 11 years' imprisonment in absentia. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow
Sentence
11 years
imprisonment in absentia
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 items v, d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (using an official position, by a group of individuals, with falsification of evidence, for selfish motives, or out of hatred)
- Article 243.4 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Destruction or damage to war graves or memorials with aggravating circumstances
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, on 22 March 2022, he posted a publication on one of the social networks containing knowingly false information about the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation under the guise of reliable reports. On the night of 7 September 2024, he and his accomplices, while on the territory of the Soviet memorial site "Wings of Victory" on April 10 Square in Odesa, dismantled bas-relief images of the Order of Lenin, the Gold Star medal and facing plates from the monument, which is a part of the memorial site, thus damaging the memorial site and causing damage to its historical and cultural significance. In addition, from 22 to 28 September of the same year, he and his accomplices damaged bas-relief images of the Gold Star medal, the Order of Lenin and facing plates on the territory of the monument.
Latest event
April 8, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 11 years.
Criminal case
Vladimir Balinskii's case on "fakes" about the Russian Armed Forces and damage to the monument to the defenders of the Fatherland
- Case number
- 01-0576/2025
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Ukraine. TASS calls him a Ukrainian nationalist. A case was launched against him for spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces and damaging monuments to defenders of the Fatherland in connection with the damage to the Wings of Victory monument in Odessa. On 8 April 2026, Balinsky was sentenced in absentia to 11 years in a strict regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Ukraine
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 items v, d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.