Maxim Krishtofor
Maxim Krishtofor, Kaliningrad Oblast. Charges: Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code (Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of…); “The case of a torn down flag with the depiction of the St. George’s ribbon in the Kaliningrad region”. Sentence (December 26, 2025): 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment in a settlement colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since December 18, 2024.
In brief
Kaliningrad Oblast · Military personnel
Sentence
2 years 6 months
2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment in a settlement colony.
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code — Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of individuals or using mass media or the Internet)
Full wording of the charges
According to investigators, on 24 November 2024 two 18-year-old servicemen, while intoxicated, were on the premises of the Storm sports school in the village of Yantarny. Acting deliberately, publicly, and by prior agreement, they tore down a flag from the building wall that commemorated 9 May and featured the St George ribbon. They then allegedly shouted slogans aimed at rehabilitating Nazism, showing disrespect for society and Russia’s days of military glory, and desecrating the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. After this, they went to M. Bekker Park in the settlement, where they damaged the flag they had torn down. The investigation states that their actions were accompanied by fascist salutes and statements diminishing the role of the Soviet people and the Armed Forces of the USSR in the victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.
Latest event
January 13, 2026 — imprisonment begins
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
The case of a torn down flag with the depiction of the St. George’s ribbon in the Kaliningrad region
· Preventive measure: placement in a temporary detention facility
Criminal case
The case of a torn down flag with the depiction of the St. George’s ribbon in the Kaliningrad region
- Case number
- 2-27/2025
Other defendants in the case
- Vyacheslav Korzhevin — Location unknown, 1 year 6 months
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The address is not listed in the database.
Details and sources
Full summary
Prior to his arrest, he was serving as a conscript in the army in the Kaliningrad region. On 24 November 2024, while intoxicated, he and a fellow soldier tore down a flag dedicated to 9 May, bearing the image of the St George ribbon, from the wall of a building in the village of Yantarny. They subsequently damaged the flag. Their actions were accompanied by a fascist salute.
The investigation claims that both detainees are supporters of far-right ideology and hold Nazi and fascist views.
On 18 December, Kryshtofor and his fellow soldier were detained. They were charged with desecration of a symbol of military glory, while Kryshtofor was additionally charged with desecration of the flag and with calls to extremism (the latter two charges are not considered political by IAB-Info). Both men were remanded in custody.
On 26 December 2025, Kryshtofor was sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.