November 05, 2024

Prison Time for a Charitable Donation


Prison Time for a Charitable Donation
Rostov-on-Don. © Vyacheslav Argenberg via Wikimedia Commons

A bank employee from Rostov-on-Don has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for transferring money for a charitable donation to causes in Ukraine.

Elena Popova was arrested one year ago for treason and petty hooliganism, and was sentenced on October 30 for sending the oppositionist journalist Arkady Babchenko approximately R7,000 ($71) on February 27, 2022, just days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

"She made a huge number of transfers to various charities to help women, children, animals. Donations in the hundreds of thousands. In this case, the state simply took advantage of her naivete, because certainly in the first days [of the war] many transferred to various bloggers, organizations. As a result, for seven thousand rubles, [she got] 12 years and a fine of 500,000 [rubles, about $5,000]," Popova's cousin told journalists. 

Popova is one of many citizens facing heavy punishments for speaking or acting out in any way against the war. 

You Might Also Like

Prison for a $51 Donation
  • August 13, 2024

Prison for a $51 Donation

A Russian-American citizen faces 15 years in prison for treason over a donation to a Ukrainian charity two years ago. 
The Risk of Treason
  • April 26, 2023

The Risk of Treason

The Russian State Duma has approved Criminal Code amendments that introduce life imprisonment for treason. And not just spies are at risk.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955