On 15 December 2025, a Moscow court designated feminist punk collective Pussy Riot an “extremist organisation,” banning all its activities across Russia after a closed-door hearing. The ruling vastly expands criminal liability for referencing the group, sharing its music or displaying its symbols. Human rights groups warn the decision marks a new stage in Russia’s use of extremism laws to erase artistic dissent, cultural memory and political opposition.
In December 2025, Russia blocked Roblox, citing extremism and “LGBT propaganda.” For millions of children, the platform is more than a game—it’s a social and creative space. The ban sparked tens of thousands of complaints to the Kremlin, protests in Tomsk, and widespread discussion about digital rights, highlighting how Russia’s push for a closed “Runet” now clashes with youth culture, creativity, and freedom of expression.
Iraqi singer Hussein Al-Turki says he was tricked into joining the Russian army after traveling to Moscow for what he believed was a performance contract. Regional outlets report he was moved far from the city, had his phone confiscated, and was pressured to sign documents he couldn’t read. While his account remains unverified, it reflects a broader pattern of foreign nationals being misled into military service.
Yekaterina Barabash, a renowned Russian film critic and journalist, became a symbol of defiance after opposing Russia’s “war-fakes” law. Arrested in 2025 for anti-war commentary, she was placed under house arrest before escaping Moscow with help from Reporters Without Borders. Now in France, Barabash continues to speak out for artistic freedom and against censorship in Putin’s Russia.
Russian street musician Diana Loginova, 18, and her band Stoptime, were arrested in St. Petersburg in October 2025 after performing anti-Kremlin songs by banned artists. Their public protest sparked viral online support and waves of solidarity, highlighting the risks artists face for dissent under Russia’s expanding censorship laws. The case underscores the importance of artistic freedom and youth resistance to governmental repression.
