Sergey Medvedev
Sergey Medvedev, born 1966, Moscow. Charges: Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries); “Sergei Medvedev's case of "fakes" about the Russian Armed Forces”. Sentence (September 29, 2025): 10 years' imprisonment in absentia, a 5 years' ban on administering Internet resources; previously convicted under Article 330.1 part 2, Russian Criminal Code. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Scientists · Anti-war cases, Cases against "foreign agents"
Sentence
10 years
imprisonment in absentia, a 5 years' ban on administering Internet resources
No information about an appeal ruling.
Other verdicts
- Imprisonment (in absentia) — 11 years 6 months
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 persecuted for an administrative offence
- Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries (based on political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or on grounds of hatred or enmity in relation to any social group)
- Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries
Full wording of the charges
The case was initiated due to Medvedev's statements on the YouTube channel of Radio Liberty: a statement that "the Russian army military destroyed Mariupol and killed 20,000 civilians" and a claim that the Malaysian Boeing was shot down by a Russian-operated armed warhead. In September and November 2023, Medvedev was fined under the administrative article on discrediting the army (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences): in the first case for a Facebook post, and in the second for a short video about the seizure of Bakhmut on Radio Liberty's YouTube channel .
Latest event
October 21, 2025 — added to the rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
Timeline
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 10 years
· Preventive measure: arrest in absentia
· Persecution begins
Sergei Medvedev's case of "fakes" about the Russian Armed Forces
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
Criminal case
Sergei Medvedev's case of "fakes" about the Russian Armed Forces
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Sergey Medvedev's case of evading the duties of a "foreign agent"
Details and sources
Full summary
Political scientist, teacher, presenter of historical programmes on TV channels and radio stations. In September 2022, he was included in the register of "foreign agents". In March 2025, it became known that a case was brought against Medvedev for dissemination of knowingly false information about the Russian Armed Forces. In May 2025, the case went to court and it became known that the political scientist was also accused of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. On 29 September 2025, Medvedev was sentenced in absentia to ten years in a general regime penal colony. A case of evasion of duties as a "foreign agent" was also brought against the political scientist. In March 2026, Medvedev was sentenced in absentia in this case, taking into account the sentence for the previous case, to 11 and a half years.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Preventive measures
- arrest in absentia
- Persecution episodes
- 2
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 2 item d, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.