Vladimir Skvortsov
Vladimir Skvortsov, born 1982, Vologda Oblast. Charges: Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Financing of extremist activities); “Vladimir Skvortsov's case of Anti-Corruption Foundation's donations and "Freedom of Russia" Legion's leaflets”. Sentence (May 26, 2025): 12 years' imprisonment, with the first 3 years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict regime colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since September 18, 2025; place of detention: Prison, Ulyanovsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, November 23, 2025.
In brief
Vologda Oblast · Vologda · Office workers · Terrorism cases, Extremism cases, Cases against Navalny/ACF supporters
Sentence
12 years
imprisonment, with the first 3 years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict regime colony
Upheld September 18, 2025
Charges
- Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 282.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Financing of extremist activities
Full wording of the charges
In 2021, after the court decision to recognise Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) and Navalny's headquarters as extremist organisations came into force, he made four donations to Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) in the amount of RUB 1,100: RUB 100 on 5 August, RUB 100 on 7 September, RUB 300 on 9 October and RUB 600 on 31 December 2021. Skvortsov, being against the war on Ukraine, "participated in the activities" of the Legion "Freedom of Russia" from 1 July to 28 August 2024. First, he contacted a representative of the legion via Telegram and filled out a questionnaire to join. Then he received an assignment from the Legion representative Dmitry Voronov to post at least 20 leaflets in support of the unit and against the current government in Russia. At home, the man downloaded the leaflet layout, and on 22 August 2024, he printed 40 copies on his work computer at a Russian Post office. On the same day, he posted 26 of them at various addresses in Vologda and took photos to send to Voronov as a report. Skvortsov did not have time to post the remaining 14 leaflets and send the photo to his interlocutor — he was detained the same day.
Latest event
November 23, 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, November 23, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 12 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Vladimir Skvortsov's case of Anti-Corruption Foundation's donations and "Freedom of Russia" Legion's leaflets
Criminal case
Vladimir Skvortsov's case of Anti-Corruption Foundation's donations and "Freedom of Russia" Legion's leaflets
- Case number
- 2-45/2025
Thematic group: Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) financing cases
Write a letter
Facility: Prison, Ulyanovsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
433513, ул. Калугина д. 66, Ульяновская область, г. Димитровград, ФКУ «Тюрьма УФСИН Ульяновской области», Скворцов Владимир Валерьевич, 1982 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A Russian Post employee from Vologda. On 22 August 2024, he was detained for posting leaflets in support of the "Russian Freedom Legion". He was then accused of financing extremist activities and participation in a terrorist organisation.
According to the prosecution version, in 2021 Skvortsov transferred the overall sum of 1,100 rubles to the Anti-Corruption Foundation dispersed between four donations.
The prosecution also believes that from 1 July to 28 August 2024 he, being an opponent of the invasion of Ukraine, "participated in the activities" of the Russian Freedom Legion. Skvortsov contacted a representative of the unit in Telegram social network and filled out a membership form, and was then tasked with putting up leaflets in support of the legion and against the current government in Russia. He downloaded the leaflet layout, and on 22 August 2024, he printed 40 copies on his work computer and posted most of them around Vologda. Skvortsov photographed them for the report, but did not have time to send them — he was detained the same day.
The day after his arrest, the Vologda City Court arrested Skvortsov for seven days under a protocol for displaying prohibited symbols because of the same leaflets. He later found himself in a pre-trial detention centre. In November 2024, he was fined a thousand rubles for the leaflets under another protocol — accusing him of manufacturing prohibited symbols.
Skvortsov pleaded guilty in the criminal case.
On 21 May, the 1st Western District Military Court in St. Petersburg began the trial.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.