Nikolai Zevakhin
Nikolai Zevakhin, born 1989, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Charges: Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)); Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization); “Nikolai Zevakhin’s case of involvement with Artpodgotovka”. Sentence (August 6, 2025): 4 years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned.
In brief
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Nizhny Novgorod · Terrorism cases, Extremism cases
Sentence
4 years
imprisonment in a general regime penal colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Public incitement to terrorism or justification of terrorism (using media or the internet)
- Article 282.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of an extremist organization
Full wording of the charges
The reason for initiating the case was a correspondence with a person allegedly linked to the Artpodgotovka political movement, during which they discussed the "Heavenly Regiment" action — a plam to launch balloons on 9 May 2023 to disrupt the parade.
Latest event
August 6, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 4 years.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
Nikolai Zevakhin’s case of involvement with Artpodgotovka
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Criminal case
Nikolai Zevakhin’s case of involvement with Artpodgotovka
- Case number
- 1-418/2025
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Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Nizhny Novgorod, Zevakhin is a former musician who later worked in the manufacture of safes. He was detained on 16 July 2024. A case was subsequently initiated against him for alleged participation in the activities of an extremist organisation, reportedly linked to his correspondence with an individual said to be associated with the Artpodgotovka political organisation, as well as for alleged incitement to terrorism based on comments he had posted on Vyacheslav Maltsev’s YouTube channel.
The correspondence reportedly involved a discussion about launching foil-covered balloons during the 9 May 2023 parade — the so-called “Heavenly Regiment” rally — supposedly to disrupt air defence operations. Zevakhin was taken into custody, and on 6 August 2025 he was sentenced to 4 years in a general-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.2 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.