Vladislav Nikitenko

A civil activist who has been repeatedly persecuted, including for his eccentric and aggressive behaviour. On 24 February 2022, he filed applications to all regional military investigation departments of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation against Vladimir Putin and members of the Security Council, accusing them of unleashing war in Ukraine. Before the criminal case was initiated, Nikitenko was prosecuted under an administrative article on discrediting the use of Russian army (20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and fined 45,000 rubles. On 18 May 2022, information about the initiation of a criminal case appeared. At that moment Nikitenko was serving an administrative arrest under the article on public display of extremist symbols. On 23 May, the court decided to place him under house arrest. On 9 July, Nikitenko was taken into custody for allegedly using a mobile phone. In September, Nikitenko [went on hunger strike](https://ovd.news/express-news/2022/09/14/pravozashchitnik-iz-blagoveshchenska-kotorogo-podozrevayut-v-diskreditacii) due to the extension of his detention.

On 31 January 2023, Nikitenko was sentenced to three years in a penal colony. On 14 June, the court of appeal reduced the term by one month.

In May 2025 he was released from the colony.