Kirill Belokurov

Kirill Belokurov is a journalist from Magadan who previously worked for the regional media outlet Vesma. His criminal case is closely connected to that of Vesma founder and former editor-in-chief Andrey Grishin. Russian authorities have accused both journalists over publications concerning the war in Ukraine and over alleged violations of legal requirements imposed on “foreign agents.”

According to investigators, Belokurov published material in late 2022 containing information about the Russian armed forces that the authorities considered false. The case was brought under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code. Public reports do not identify the exact part and qualifying clauses of the charge.

Belokurov also faces a charge under Part 2 of Article 330.1. After the Russian authorities designated Vesma a “foreign agent” in 2023, investigators alleged that he continued publishing content without the legally required designation.

In early March 2026, Rosfinmonitoring added Belokurov to its register of “terrorists and extremists.” The criminal case was sent to court later that month and he was placed on a wanted list.

In June 2026, the court tried Belokurov in absentia and sentenced him to five years and seven months in a general-regime penal colony. Because he remains outside Russia, he is not physically serving the prison term.