Ex-Pussy Riot member Rita Flores admits to working for Russia's FSB

August 24, 2026 at 06:52 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Rita Flores, a former member of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot, admitted on August 24 that she had passed information on artists and political activists to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for three years under threats of criminal prosecution and harm to her relatives. She said she was coerced into cooperation in February 2023 after a search of her Moscow apartment and later received the operational alias 'Harley'. Flores fled Russia about 10 days ago with the help of lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov.

Key Facts

Rita Flores said she was coerced into cooperation with the FSB in February 2023 after a search of her Moscow apartment.
Flores received the operational alias 'Harley' and a phone for contact with her handler, and stopped real participation in Pussy Riot.
She said she was tasked with collecting information on people of interest to the FSB, including street artist Philippenzo, actionist Pavel Krisevich, and Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina.
Flores claimed she was offered 1–3 million rubles to participate in the kidnapping and murder of Pyotr Verzilov, but instead contacted lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov in summer 2025.
Flores fled Russia about 10 days ago with the help of Zakhvatov and former Yukos top manager Leonid Nevzlin.

Forced Cooperation

Flores said FSB officers coerced her into cooperation in February 2023 after a search of her Moscow apartment. She was given the operational alias 'Harley' and a phone for contact with her handler. Her tasks included gathering information on people of interest to the FSB, their circles, and habits. Flores claimed she tried to sabotage these assignments.

Targets and Threats

Flores said she participated in the 'development' of street artist Philippenzo, actionist Pavel Krisevich, and Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina. She was allegedly offered 1–3 million rubles to take part in the kidnapping and murder of Pyotr Verzilov, former publisher of Mediazona and member of art groups Voina and Pussy Riot. After receiving this assignment in summer 2025, she contacted lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov. Zakhvatov told The Insider that preparation for her departure lasted about a year.

Escape and Disclosure

Flores fled Russia about 10 days ago. She said she decided to reveal her cooperation with the FSB to help people in similar situations. In her Instagram channel, she thanked Zakhvatov and former Yukos top manager Leonid Nevzlin for their help. In 2021, Flores was repeatedly arrested on charges of disobeying police and public display of Nazi symbols for posting an image of Tokio Hotel musician and a swastika.