Viktor Ermolaev
Viktor Ermolaev, Moscow. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 items b, d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); Article 282 part 2 item v, Russian Criminal Code (Incitement of hatred or enmity by an organized group); “The case of the 'SVR General' Telegram channel”. Sentence (March 25, 2026): 10 years' imprisonment in absentia. Status: location unknown.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Defence attorneys, Lawyers · Extremism cases
Sentence
10 years
imprisonment in absentia
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 2 items b, d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (using an official position, a group of individuals, falsification of evidence, for selfish motives, or out of hatred)
- Article 282 part 2 item v, Russian Criminal Code — Incitement of hatred or enmity by an organized group
Full wording of the charges
The website "Zaporizhzhya News Line" claims that the reason for launching a case of spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces were reports about "Russia's preparations to use nuclear weapons to strike Ukraine, the Russian army shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Energodar (which is already under Russian control) and even mining the same nuclear power plant".
Latest event
March 25, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 10 years.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 10 years
· Persecution begins
The case of the 'SVR General' Telegram channel
Criminal case
The case of the 'SVR General' Telegram channel
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Kharkiv, a lawyer. In February 2022, the propaganda TV channel RT named him as the administrator of the "SVR General" Telegram channel. At that time, political scientist Valery Solovei's place was searched in Moscow as part of a case of incitement to hatred related to publications in this channel. Ermolaev denied any connection with the Telegram channel, saying that someone had used his data as a result of "careless use of the Internet" on his part. On 18 September 2024, the lawyer was placed in custody in absentia. Later it became known that Ermolaev was also charged with spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces. On 25 March 2026, he was sentenced in absentia to ten years' imprisonment.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Ukraine
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 items b, d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.