Accessibility links

Breaking News

Russian Anti-War Activist Who Helped Ukrainian Refugees Dies In Custody


Aleksandr Demidenko
Aleksandr Demidenko

Russian anti-war activist Aleksandr Demidenko, who helped hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in the Belgorod region to return to Ukraine, died in custody last week, his lawyer told his family on April 8. The 61-year-old activist, who openly protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was arrested in October. He was initially sentenced to 10 days in jail for drinking alcohol in public. Police later said they found an old grenade and two detonators for a grenade and a mine, all made during World War II, at Demidenko's house and charged him with illegal weapons possession. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG