Korotkova Lyudmila Viktorovna

In the town of Mirny, Arkhangelsk Oblast, on June 25, 2024, at 6 a.m., a search was conducted at the home of a local resident and activist, Lyudmila Kotkova. After the search, she was taken for questioning.

A criminal case was opened against the woman for repeated 'discrediting' of the Russian army, participation in the activities of an extremist organization, and involvement in the activities of an extremist organization. According to the investigation, since 2021, Kotkova has been promoting the activities of the 'Volya' party of Svetlana Lada-Rus (which was recognized as an extremist organization and liquidated in connection with this), involving citizens in participation in it and distributing its materials on the internet.

The article on discrediting the army was brought against the woman due to three statements in newspapers she distributed. One of them said: 'When will the goals of the SVO be achieved, if the hostilities have already moved to our territories, and drones are striking targets deep in the country?' The other two contained assertions that the Russian-Ukrainian war was orchestrated by a 'Jewish sect of Chabad' to liberate territories, and that 'the presidents of both countries — ARE OF THE SAME MIND, AND NOT ENEMIES.'

Earlier, in April 2023, Kotkova was held administratively liable under the article on 'discrediting' the Russian army for distributing anti-war leaflets with the subtitle 'SALVATION IS IN COUNCILS!', starting with the words 'While we celebrate the New Year and hope for better, in the country, by many signs, a mass mobilization is being prepared.'

During the investigation, the defendant was under a travel restriction undertaking.

On June 24, 2026, the Mirninsky City Court of Arkhangelsk Oblast found Lyudmila Kotkova guilty and sentenced her to 4.5 years in a general-regime correctional colony. The court also imposed a 1-year-and-3-month restriction of freedom and deprived her of the right to engage in activities related to the public dissemination of information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for 1 year. The woman was taken into custody in the courtroom.