Artem Skakalin
Artem Skakalin, born 1994, Bryansk Oblast. Charges: Article 208 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 3, Russian Criminal Code (Attempt to participate in an illegal armed formation); “Artem Skakalin's case of participation in the activities of an illegal armed group”. Sentence (October 20, 2022): 7 years' imprisonment, of which the first year and a half are in prison, the rest are in a strict regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since June 27, 2022; place of detention: Medical correctional facility No. 7, Tambov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, January 27, 2026.
In brief
Bryansk Oblast · Bryansk · Janitors
Sentence
7 years
imprisonment, of which the first year and a half are in prison, the rest are in a strict regime colony
Upheld July 17, 2024
Charges
- Article 208 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 3, Russian Criminal Code — Attempt to participate in an illegal armed formation.
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, being an adherent of the Nazi ideology of Ukraine and an active opponent of the domestic and foreign policy of the Russian Federation, Artem entered into correspondence with a recruiter of an illegal armed formation, who promised assistance in crossing the state border.
Latest event
January 27, 2026 — recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, January 27, 2026
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 7 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Artem Skakalin's case of participation in the activities of an illegal armed group
Criminal case
Artem Skakalin's case of participation in the activities of an illegal armed group
Write a letter
Facility: Medical correctional facility No. 7, Tambov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
393354, Тамбовская область, Кирсановский р-н, п. Полевой, ул. Рабочая, д. 7, ФКУ ЛИУ-7 УФСИН России по Тамбовской области, Скакалин Артем Алексеевич, 1994 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A janitor from Tambov. On June 27th 2022, he was detained by FSB officers near the Russian-Ukrainian border in Bryansk region. He was arrested under the administrative article for disobeying a lawful order or demand of a serviceman in connection with the performance of duties to guard the State Border of the Russian Federation (Article 18.7 of the Code of Administrative Offences). On July 4th, Skakalin was taken into custody on charges of preparing to participate in an illegal armed formation: according to the investigation, he intended to join the "Freedom of Russia" Legion. On 20th of October 2022, Skakalin was sentenced to seven years in a strict regime colony. On July 12th 2023, the court of cassation instance cancelled the verdict and sent the case for a new consideration. On 15th of August 2023, the court of first instance again sentenced Skakalin to seven years in a strict regime colony, only the term of imprisonment was changed - two years instead of one and a half. On March 20th 2024, the court of appeal overturned this sentence. On April 22nd 2024, the court of first instance again sentenced Skakalin to seven years in a strict regime colony with the same prison term as the second time.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 208 part 2 applied with Article 30 part 3, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.