Vasilii Zharkov
Vasilii Zharkov, born 2000, Moscow Oblast. Charges: Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization); Article 275, Russian Criminal Code (Treason against the state); Article 281 part 1 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Attempted sabotage by an organized group); “Vasilii Zharkov's case of high treason, participation in the activities of a terrorist organization and preparations for sabotage”. Sentence (December 16, 2024): 19 years' imprisonment in strict-regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; place of detention: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, August 1, 2025.
In brief
Moscow Oblast · Office workers · Terrorism cases
Sentence
19 years
imprisonment in strict-regime penal colony
Upheld March 19, 2025
Charges
- Article 205.5 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization
- Article 275, Russian Criminal Code — Treason against the state
- Article 281 part 1 applied with Article 30 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Attempted sabotage by an organized group
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in October 2023 he filled out a form on the website of the Freedom of Russia Legion to get instructions for moving to Europe, in November 2023 he explored the area around the town Ozyory, taking photos of a television communication mast and approaches to it. On the night of 8 November, he attempted to set fire to the mast but was stopped by police officers, whom he convinced that he had lost his way. A few days later, he entered the territory of the military unit to reconnoitre and destroy a warehouse with artillery ammunition, but was apprehended by a guard.
Latest event
August 1, 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, August 1, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 19 years
· Persecution begins
Vasilii Zharkov's case of high treason, participation in the activities of a terrorist organization and preparations for sabotage
Criminal case
Vasilii Zharkov's case of high treason, participation in the activities of a terrorist organization and preparations for sabotage
Write a letter
Facility: Prison No. 2, Lipetsk Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
399783, ул. Пролетарская д. 1Б, Липецкая область, г. Елец, ФКУ «Тюрьма № 2 УФСИН по Липецкой области», Жарков Василий Анатольевич, 2000 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Liubertsy (Moscow region). On the night of November 8, 2023, according to the investigation, he tried to set fire to a television mast, but was stopped by the police. He managed to avoid detention but a few days later, he was detained on the territory of a military unit. During a search, eight Molotov cocktails were found in his possession. Zharkov was taken into custody on charges of high treason, participation in the activities of a terrorist organization and preparation for sabotage. On December 16, 2024 Zharkov was sentenced to 19 years in a strict-regime penal colony.
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.