Crackdown in Russia: Feminist anti-war group hits Putin’s blacklist

The Russian government is going to great lengths to convince society of the righteousness of its attack on Ukraine. Any expression of anti-war sentiment is quickly suppressed, and organisations advocating for the conflict's end are labelled as enemies of the state. Identifying a social group that Vladimir Putin hasn’t targeted is challenging.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has staunchly opposed those criticising his troops' assault on Ukraine. Repression isn't limited to individuals directly opposing the regime or attempting to disseminate censored information but also extends to those who are simply against the war and the ensuing carnage.

Russia continues to describe its actions as a "special military operation," a term that downplays the reality of its aggression. Nevertheless, even after two years since the invasion escalated, the Russian government is staunchly opposing anyone trying to share accurate news from the front lines or international sources.

The list of "undesirable organisations" deemed harmful to the Russian Federation continues to grow. Recently, feminist groups have been added to this list.

In particular, this refers to the Anti-War Feminist Resistance, a women's organization dedicated to coordinating anti-war efforts within Russia. Their opposition to the conflict eventually led to the AFR (the group's official acronym) being designated as an "undesirable organization," making its activities illegal in Russia.

The Anti-War Feminist Resistance is a collective of Russian feminists that disseminates information about grassroots campaigns and anti-war actions. It was established one day after the Russian military's comprehensive invasion of Ukraine started. As stated by its members, the initiative's aim is to "penetrate the information blockade" and share insights about the war in Ukraine. The activists highlight the risks associated with participating in such movements - this is how the independent Russian portal "Medusa.io" portrays the organisation.

This isn't the first instance of the FAS drawing the attention of the Russian authorities. Initially spotted in December 2022, the group was then marked as a "foreign agent."

Shortly afterwards, one of the movement's co-founders, Daria Serenko, found herself on the same list, and by April 2024, the previously undisturbed activist was declared wanted. She is currently outside Russia, though the charges against her remain unclear.