Vitalii Zhuravlev
Vitalii Zhuravlev, born 1981, Astrakhan Oblast. Charges: Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries); “Vitalii Zhuravlev’s third case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces”. Sentence (December 16, 2025): 2 years and 8 months' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, and a ban on administration of websites, forums and…; previously convicted under Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since January 14, 2026; place of detention: Penal colony No. 5, Kirov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, April 18, 2025.
In brief
Astrakhan Oblast · Akhtubinsk · Anti-war cases
Sentence
2 years 8 months
2 years and 8 months' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony, and a ban on administration of websites, forums and social media groups for 3 years
No information about an appeal ruling.
Other verdicts
- May 21, 2025 — 2 years and 6 months' imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, with an additional ban on administering internet pages for 2 years and 6 months.
- December 17, 2024 — 2 years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony with a 2-year ban on engaging in certain activities such as administering websites, online forums or social media groups on the internet; confiscation of a mobile phone (with proceeds going to the state)
Charges
- Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, government agencies, or mercenaries
Full wording of the charges
According to the court, knowing that from 24.02.2022 the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are conducting a special military operation on the territory of the Republic of Ukraine, posted in comments to the publication posted in the open group "Akhtubinsk knows" in the social network "Vkontakte", a comment of a negative nature in the form of a political anecdote about the fact of committing by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of illegal actions against its own citizens, whom the leadership of the country does not refer to as "ours", opposing themselves to the inhabitants of Akhtubinsk.
Latest event
December 16, 2025 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 2 years 8 months.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, April 18, 2025
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 8 months
· Cassation ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 6 months
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Criminal case opened
Vitaly Zhuravlev's second case of discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
Pre-trial Detention Centre №1 (SIZO-1) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russian Federation for Astrakhan Oblast
· Persecution begins
Vitalii Zhuravlev’s case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces
· Preventive measure: travel ban (written undertaking)
Criminal case
Vitalii Zhuravlev’s third case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces
- Case number
- 1-244/2025
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Vitalii Zhuravlev’s case of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces
- Case number
- 1-223/2024
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Vitaly Zhuravlev's second case of discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Write a letter
Facility: Penal colony No. 5, Kirov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
613040, Кировская область, г. Кирово-Чепецк, ул. Овражная, 16, ФКУ «ИК № 5 УФСИН России по Кировской области», Журавлев Виталий Владимирович, 1981 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
He is a resident of Akhtubinsk (the Astrakhan oblast). In June 2024, a case of discrediting the Armed Forces was reported to have been initieted against him. Zhuravlev signed a personal recognisance not to leave the country. On 17 December 2024, he was sentenced to two years in a general regime colony.
No later than February 2025, a new case of discrediting the Armed Forces was initiated against Zhuravlev. The basis for it was an anti-war picture on VKontakte published on 24 February 2022. On 21 May 2025, Zhuravlev was sentenced to 2.5 years in a general regime colony with a two-year ban on administering websites. This sentence was imposed in conjunction with the first sentence.
Another case under this article was initiated against Zhuravlev for an anecdote about the Russian army. On 16 December 2025, the court sentenced him to two years and eight months of imprisonment in a colony in conjunction with the previous sentence.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
- Persecution episodes
- 3
Other people prosecuted under Article 280.3 part 1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.