Russia targets hundreds of adolescents with terrorism accusations

Russian authorities are increasingly targeting adolescents with accusations of terrorism, sabotage, extremism, and treason. One notable case involves 16-year-old Vitalina Prening from Novosibirsk, who has been added to Russia’s official list of terrorists on charges including planning a terrorist attack and participating in a terrorist organization, though specific details remain unclear.

Human rights organizations report a significant surge in the targeting of minors since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The exile-based legal organization Department One reported in July that at least 779 minors are on Russia’s registry of terrorists and extremists, with nearly 97 percent of those additions occurring after 2022. This registry includes both convicted individuals and those under active investigation.

Additionally, the human rights group Memorial stated that at least 124 minors are currently facing criminal charges in Russia for political reasons. Activists argue that these arrests are part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent, with prosecutions often occurring under controversial laws and through closed-door trials. Cases range from online criticism of authorities and anti-war activism to allegations of recruitment.