Russia's Abuse of National Security Laws to Silence Dissent on Ukraine War

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of an alarming escalation in Russia's use of national security laws to silence opposition to its war against Ukraine. Since 2022, treason prosecutions have spiked from double-digits to 760 verdicts by mid-2025, with espionage cases rising from five to 159, often combined with terrorism charges. The national "List of Terrorists and Extremists" has surged to over 18,000 names, including children and hundreds of organisations. Russian authorities have targeted prominent opposition figures, journalists, lawyers, artists, and academics who oppose the war, with some facing terrorism-related charges. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia has called for the immediate release of those detained on politically motivated grounds, as well as accountability for acts of torture and deaths in custody.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian authorities have used national security laws to silence opposition to the war against Ukraine, leading to a significant increase in treason and espionage prosecutions, from 12 in 2022 to 760 verdicts by mid-2025, and from five to 159 cases, respectively.
• The national "List of Terrorists and Extremists" has grown from 1,600 names in 2022 to over 18,000 in 2025, including children and hundreds of organisations.
• Targeted individuals include prominent opposition politicians, business people, journalists, lawyers, artists, and academics who oppose Russia's war against Ukraine.
• The UN Special Rapporteur noted that "extremism" provisions with no basis in international law have been used to prosecute anti-war expression, independent reporting, and those linked to opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
• Hundreds of convictions for alleged "extremism" have been handed down, including over 100 in cases targeting LGBT activity.
• Ukrainian detainees are accused of espionage and terrorism, leading to lengthy prison sentences, with many facing torture and ill-treatment.
• The Special Rapporteur called for the immediate release of all those detained on politically motivated grounds in Russia, as well as accountability for acts of torture and deaths in custody.

Statistics:

• 760 treason verdicts issued by mid-2025, a significant increase from double-digits prior to 2022.
• 159 espionage cases by mid-2025, involving 182 people, often combined with "terrorism" offences to secure harsher sentences.
• Over 18,000 individuals and organisations on the national "List of Terrorists and Extremists", including over 150 children.
• 100 convictions for alleged "extremism" in cases targeting LGBT activity.
• Thousands of Ukrainian detainees facing trials accused of espionage and terrorism.
• Over 5 terrorism-related sentences delivered by Russian courts daily in 2025.

Sources:

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights press release, citing Special Rapporteur Mariana Katzarova.