Russia Jails Opposition Leader for 11 Years

A Russian court has sentenced Lev Shlosberg, a senior member of the liberal Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in prison for 'discrediting' and spreading 'fake news' about the Russian military. The sentence combines near-maximum penalties under wartime censorship laws with a previous November 2025 conviction.

Shlosberg pleaded not guilty and argued that the charges were politically motivated. He was found guilty of 'discrediting' and spreading 'fake news' about the Russian military, linked to a February 25, 2022, Telegram post and a January 2025 public debate. State prosecutors had sought a sentence of 12 years and one month in prison.

The charges against Shlosberg are related to his criticism of the war in Ukraine. Yabloko is the only registered political party to call for an end to the war. Shlosberg used his closing speech to deliver a searing indictment of the war, stating that the lives of countless thousands of people have been cut short during this time.

## Why it matters The sentence comes as Yabloko faces pressure from authorities ahead of a parliamentary election. Russia's Supreme Court is hearing an appeal from Yabloko over the decision to cancel the registration of the party's federal candidate list for the State Duma elections. The party's call for an end to the war in Ukraine has put it at odds with the Kremlin, and any sizeable anti-war vote could have embarrassed the government.

The war in Ukraine has had a significant human toll, with Mediazona and the BBC Russian service recording the names of at least 239,354 Russian military dead. Shlosberg's sentence is a significant blow to the opposition party and highlights the risks faced by those who speak out against the war.

## What happens next The appeal by Yabloko to the Supreme Court will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the party's ability to participate in the parliamentary election. The international community will also be watching the developments in Russia, as the sentence handed down to Shlosberg is seen as a further crackdown on dissent and free speech.