Zakhar Petukhov
Zakhar Petukhov, Kaluga Oblast. Charges: Article 207.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government…); “Zakhar Petukhov's case of "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces”. Sentence (May 27, 2025): 2 years' forced labour with 10% of salary with 10% of salary deducted as income per year. Status: location unknown. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, September 10, 2025.
In brief
Kaluga Oblast · Obninsk · Anti-war cases
Sentence
2 years' forced labour with 10% of salary with 10% of salary deducted as income per year
Upheld August 1, 2025
Charges
- Article 207.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in December 2024, he posted information in the residential chat on one of the messaging platforms, expressed in the form of statements about facts and events, that servicemen of the Russian army committed a mass murder of civilians in the city of Bucha with the use of firearms, which does not correspond to reality. By his actions, Petukhov misled members of the residential chat regarding the legality of the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during a special military operation, as well as undermined the authority and discredited the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the eyes of society, causing citizens who read the above statement to feel anxiety, fear, unease and insecurity from the state.
Latest event
September 10, 2025 — recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, September 10, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Persecution begins
Zakhar Petukhov's case of "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces
Criminal case
Zakhar Petukhov's case of "fake news" about the Russian Armed Forces
- Case number
- 1-122/2025
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Obninsk (Kaluga Region). A case was brought against him for spreading deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces. In March 2025, local media circulated a video showing a young man with a blurred face apologised for spreading "unflattering statements", "as well as fakes". The reason for the prosecution was Petukhov's message in a chat room at home, in which he wrote about the massacre of civilians in Bucha by the Russian military. Petukhov was placed under house arrest. On 30 April 2025, the case was submitted to court. On 27 May 2025, he was sentenced to 2 years of compulsory labour.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 207.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.