October 23, 2026, 5:24 AMRSSRU
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Ivan Stepin

ImprisonedChecked October 18, 2026

Ivan Stepin, born 1987, Tula Oblast. Charges: Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)); Article 280 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public calls for extremism (using mass media or the internet)); “The case of Ivan Stepin concerning incitement to extremism and terrorism”. Sentence (May 21, 2026): 3 years' deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, March 12, 2026.

In brief

Tula Oblast · Terrorism cases, Extremism cases

Sentence

3 years

deprivation of liberty in a general regime colony

Sentence changed May 21, 2026

First instance, January 23, 2026: 3 years

Charges

Full wording of the charges

According to the prosecution, he posted three comments in the messenger Telegram, which contained "calls to extremist activity and justifying terrorist activity, the content of which was made available to an unlimited number of users of this messenger": 7 March 2023 in the group "Butusov Plus" under the entry "This is an assault close to enemy positions. When the perimeter is under fire control of both sides. Risky task is performed by the 1st mehbat of the 3rd Oshbar" wrote: "Guys, relatives, fuck the Russian bastards...". On 14 March 2023 in the group "Butusov Plus" under the entry "Russian assault group destroyed by soldiers of the 3rd motorized infantry company and reconnaissance platoon of the 53rd mechanized brigade near Avdeevka" he left the comment: "Death and shame to the Kremlin's lackeys, the mutts of the pleshy, Rashist creatures". On 4 February 2024 he left in the same group under the entry "Shot like a partridge. British, Americans, bewilderment. The first reaction of Russian Z-publics to the destruction of the BDC near the coast of temporarily occupied Crimea, near Alupka" wrote: "Beautiful guys, minus one more warship of fucking Russia".

Latest event

May 21, 2026 — appeal

The court changed the sentence to 3 years.

Checked October 18, 2026 · no changes since October 15

Recognition by rights defenders

Timeline

  1. · Appeal ruling

    sentence changed · 3 years

  2. · Recognised as a political prisoner

    Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners

  3. · First-instance verdict

    guilty verdict · 3 years

  4. · Preventive measure: pre-trial detention

    Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for the Tula Region

  5. · Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”

  6. · Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)

Criminal case

The case of Ivan Stepin concerning incitement to extremism and terrorism

Case number
1-56/2026 (1-741/2025;)

There are no other defendants in this case in the database.

Write a letter

Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)

301782, Тульская область, г. Донской, мкр-н Шахтёрский, ул. Луговая, д. 1а, ПФРСИ при ИК-5 УФСИН России по Тульской области, Степин Иван Степанович, 1987 г.р.

Address checked October 18, 2026

Details and sources

Full summary

According to OVD-Info

A resident of the Tula region, development director at Uralsib Bank. A case was opened against him on calls to extremism and terrorism in connection with comments approving the actions of the AFU. On 25 September 2025, he was detained and placed under house arrest the next day. On 18 November 2025, the measure of restraint was replaced with a signature on not leaving. On 23 January 2026, Stepin was sentenced to three years in a general regime colony.

All fields of the record
Citizenship
Russia
Preventive measures
pre-trial detention
Sources (1)

Other people prosecuted under Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code

Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.

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