Photo: Vera Polozkova / Facebook
Moscow, 25 February 2025 – Famous Russian poet Vera Polozkova has been officially added to the list of terrorists and extremists by Rosfinmonitoring. Information about this appeared on the official website of the agency, where her name is listed – “Polozkova Vera Nikolaevna, born 05.03.1986, Moscow”. There is an asterisk next to her name, which indicates that a criminal case has been opened against her under a terrorism-related article. However, the exact wording of the charges has not yet been disclosed.
As a result of being included in this list, in accordance with Russian law, Polozkova’s bank accounts will be frozen and their services will be terminated.
Case history: from social media to criminal prosecution
The criminal case was triggered by an appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office by State Duma deputy Yelena Yampolskayain July 2023. She demanded that Polozkova’s statements be checked for “justification of terrorism”. The basis for the appeal was a conversation between the poet and Dozhd TV journalist Mikhail Kozyrev, in which Polozkova was asked whether she had opened champagne after the attempted murder of writer Zakhar Prilepin.
The poet replied that in such a situation, she could only drink beer, while stressing that she did not feel gloating and did not wish anyone to die. However, the deputies interpreted these words as a manifestation of sympathy for terrorist acts.
Particular attention was drawn to her post on social media back in 2017, where Polozkova stated that she would “drink champagne” in the event of Prilepin’s death, who at the time served as deputy commander of a special forces battalion of the so-called DPR army.
“Such cynical statements containing signs of public justification of a terrorist act are absolutely unacceptable and immoral,” Yampolskaya said in her appeal to Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov.
Polozkova is in the crosshairs of the authorities: frozen accounts and criminal cases
Once on the terrorist list, Polozkova is automatically subject to financial sanctions:
– all of her bank accounts will be frozen;
– All financial transactions have been suspended;
– any form of financial support is blocked.
The asterisk next to her name on the website of Rosfinmonitoring means that a criminal case has been opened against her under a terrorist article. However, the details of the charges remain unknown.
Public reaction and Polozkova’s emigration
Vera Polozkova left Russia in March 2022 after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, she has repeatedly made anti-war statements, criticising Russian aggression and the Kremlin’s policies.
In December 2022, the head of the Safe Internet League, Kateryna Mizulina, also demanded that Polozkova’s statements be checked. The reason was her interview with journalist Yuriy Dud, in which the poet said that Igor Strelkov (Girkin), the former leader of pro-Russian forces in Donbas, was responsible for the deaths of children in Donetsk.
“Justifying Ukraine’s crimes and denying Kyiv’s guilt is beyond morality,” Mizulina said at the time.
What’s next?
After being included in the list of terrorists and extremists, Polozkova will face a complete blockade of financial resources in Russia. If the court finds her guilty under the terrorism article, the poet could face up to 20 years in prison.
However, as Polozkova has long been outside of Russia, her prosecution will mainly remain at the level of asset restrictions and attempts to influence her reputation through the media.
The writing community and human rights activists have already spoken out in support of the poet. According to them, the charges against Polozkova are part of the Kremlin’s systematic campaign against dissidents who criticise the war and the regime.
This case is yet another example of the growing pressure on cultural figures in Russia who openly oppose the Kremlin’s official position.
