In Russia, ahead of the "elections," pressure on inconvenient candidates has intensified — intelligence
Kyiv • UNN
In Russian regions, security forces are using administrative cases and arrests to eliminate inconvenient candidates. In particular, in Ufa and the Tomsk region, cases have been opened for discrediting the army and displaying extremist symbols.
In Russian regions, on the eve of the "elections," pressure on independent and opposition candidates is intensifying. This is reported by UNN with reference to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZRU).
To remove them from participating in the campaigns, law enforcement officers use administrative cases, arrests, and accusations of allegedly discrediting the army or displaying extremist symbols.
Details
According to intelligence data, in Ufa, the police accused Denis Malyshev, a candidate for the city council nominated by the "Civil Union," of "discrediting the army." The publication that allegedly served as the basis for opening the case could not be found.
Earlier, representatives of the same association were tried to be held accountable for organizing an "unauthorized rally," although the activists were only collecting signatures.
In the Tomsk region, another party representative, Anton Isakov, was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest. He was accused of "displaying extremist symbols" due to the Facebook logo.
After the arrest ends, Isakov faces another court case over a publication posted in 2017. As noted by the SZRU, two consecutive administrative penalties may automatically deprive him of the right to participate in elections to the regional duma.
Pressure has also increased on representatives of the Russian opposition party "Yabloko." The election commission found violations in the documents of 25 out of 412 declared candidates, giving lawyers only a few days to rectify them.
The leader of the Sverdlovsk branch of the party, Maxim Petlin, and physicist Gray Boltachov have already withdrawn their candidacies, explaining the decision by constant pressure from law enforcement agencies.
In addition, the Russian police disrupted a meeting with voters held by the founder of the "Rassvet" party, Katerina Duntcova.
The Foreign Intelligence Service emphasizes that administrative protocols, arrests, and fines for old posts are used to eliminate independent politicians even before the active phase of the election campaign begins.
Recall
At the beginning of July 2026, the "United Russia" party launched its election campaign based on support for Putin and the war in Ukraine.