Semyon Kochkin
Semyon Kochkin, born 1993, Chuvashia. Charges: Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being…). Previously convicted under Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code; Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code; Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Chuvashia · Cheboksary · Politicians · Anti-war cases, Extremism cases, Cases against "foreign agents", Cases against Navalny/ACF supporters
Sentence
2 years
in absentia, 2 years imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, fine of 150 000 rubbles and ban on administrating websites for a duration of 1 year
Upheld February 10, 2026
Charges
- Article 282.4 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Repeated propaganda or public display of Nazi or extremist symbols
- Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
- Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Violation of the procedure for activities of a foreign agent, committed by a person after being persecuted for an administrative offence
Full wording of the charges
The case was initiated based on a publication in a Telegram channel dated 27 December, where Kochkin left negative comments about Robert Baranov, the head of the Main Computer Centre of the Russian Ministry of Defence. According to The Insider's investigation, Baranov supervises missile launches into Ukraine. Kochkin has two effective court decisions under the administrative article on discrediting the army (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences), issued in October and December: according to the second one, he was fined 40,000 rubles for a certain video.
Latest event
April 24, 2026 — preventive measure: arrest in absentia
Timeline
· Preventive measure: arrest in absentia
· Criminal case opened
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Criminal case opened
Semyon Kochkin's case of repeated public display of prohibited symbols
· Persecution begins
The case of Semyon Kochkin's regarding repeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces and refusal of performing obligations of a foreign agent
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
Criminal case
- Case number
- 1-171/2026
The case of Semyon Kochkin's regarding repeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces and refusal of performing obligations of a foreign agent
- Case number
- 1-374/2025
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Semyon Kochkin's case of repeated public display of prohibited symbols
Details and sources
Full summary
Semyon is a former coordinator of Alexei Navalny's local headquarters and administrator of the Telegram channel "Serditaya Chuvashia" ("Grumpy Chuvashia"). In October 2022, Kochkin was declared a “foreign agent”.
In March 2023, it was reported that a case had been opened against him for repeated discrediting of the use of the Armed Forces, and in November, another case was opened for repeated demonstration of prohibited symbols.
On 28 June 2024, a search was conducted at Kochkin’s sister’s home in Cheboksary in connection with a new case brought against him. The details remain unknown. In December 2024, Kochkin received an official document stating that, in addition to the two previously known cases, he was also being prosecuted for participation in an extremist organisation and for evading his duties as a “foreign agent”.
On 26 November 2025, Kochkin was sentenced in absentia to 2 years in a general-regime penal colony in a consolidated case comprising charges of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, participating in an extremist organisation, and evading “foreign agent” obligations.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
- Persecution episodes
- 3
Other people prosecuted under Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.