Russian teens face terrorism charges as wartime crackdown intensifies

September 9, 2026 at 01:08 AM2 min

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

Hundreds of Russian teenagers have been charged with terrorism, sabotage, extremism, or treason since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At least 779 minors are on Russia's terrorist and extremist registry, with nearly 97 percent added after 2022. The crackdown includes cases ranging from anti-war activism to alleged recruitment by Ukrainian intelligence services.

Key Facts

At least 779 minors are on Russia's terrorist and extremist registry, according to a July report by Department One.
Nearly 97 percent of those minors were added to the registry after 2022.
Memorial reports at least 124 minors are currently facing criminal charges in Russia for political reasons.
Arseny Turbin, arrested at age 15 in 2023, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2024 for distributing anti-war leaflets.
Ivan Maltsev, 14, is believed to be the youngest teenager on the registry, accused of attempting to set fire to a police car.

Registry Data

Department One, an exiled legal and human rights organization, reported in July that at least 779 minors are on Russia's terrorist and extremist registry. Nearly 97 percent of them were added after 2022, following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The registry includes convicted individuals as well as those formally named as suspects or facing active charges. The banned human rights group Memorial said at least 124 minors are currently facing criminal charges in Russia for political reasons.

Case Examples

Vitalina Prening, a 16-year-old from Novosibirsk, was charged with planning a terrorist attack, membership in a terrorist organization, and undergoing terrorist training. Prening was added to Russia's terrorist blacklist on August 10, though details of the charges remain unclear. Arseny Turbin, arrested at age 15 in 2023, had distributed leaflets criticizing President Vladimir Putin and created a Telegram channel called Free Russia. In 2024, a Russian court sentenced Turbin to five years in prison during a closed trial; two years later, authorities opened another case against him for alleged unrest at his penal colony. Ivan Maltsev, 14, is believed to be the youngest teenager on the registry, accused of attempting to set fire to a police car; his father has denied the charges.

Repression Context

Human rights campaigners say the arrest and jailing of teenagers is part of an intensifying campaign to stifle dissent during wartime. Sergei Davidis, head of Memorial's political prisoner support project, told RFE/RL that the war has intensified political repression in Russia. Davidis said the state exhibits far greater repressive activity in a war situation. Rights groups say an increasing number of minors are being prosecuted under controversial terrorism and extremism laws, with trials frequently held behind closed doors.