On September 1, amendments to the law on “foreign agents” (a stigmatizing label applied by Russian authorities to individuals and organizations with public activity and any foreign funding, curtailing their civil rights) come into effect. These amendments directly impact many scholars in our database: their books have disappeared from Russian bookstores, and their lectures and podcasts are being removed from online platforms.

The most striking manifestation of these amendments taking effect has been the widespread clearance sales of books by foreign agents in nearly all Russian bookstores. The law does not explicitly require halting the sale of books per se. In this regard, it’s phrased quite vaguely. It seems that selling books by foreign agents is still permissible and not prosecutable, although challenging, as stores that continue to sell them would lose access to any state or municipal support.

The direct ban targets “public outreach”: popular science activities are prohibited, including lectures, master classes, round tables, and work in the education sector. This now applies to all age groups, whereas previously the restrictions targeted only minors. But as its co-author, Vasily Piskarev, head of the State Duma Security Committee, explained to Kommersant during the bill’s consideration, “public outreach” could be interpreted as “any form of communication with or influence over an audience.” If books are a form of communication, then they fall under the ban as well. Judging by the reaction of Russian bookstores, no one wants to take the risk. Books are either being sold off at a discount or returned to publishers. In any case, after September 1, books by foreign agents — even with “foreign agent” labeling — will likely no longer be on bookstore shelves.

Our database currently includes 23 foreign agents. Here, we’ll mention just a few of them. The ban on books (and films, podcasts, and lectures) by these authors is a significant blow to Russian science and culture:

• Alexander Arkhangelsky, philologist;
• Alexandra Arkhipova, sociologist;
• Oleg Lekmanov, philologist;
• Yulia Sineokaya, philosopher;
• Konstantin Sonin, economist;
• Ekaterina Schulmann, political scientist;
• Tamara Eidelman, historian.

T-invariant has published an important article on an extremely risky profession in contemporary Russia — university rector (The Rectors’ Hot Seat. Since 2012, about one hundred university heads have faced criminal prosecution). This publication includes a table compiling 97 criminal cases against rectors of Russian universities from 2012 to 2025. None of the listed rectors appear in our “Chronicles of the Persecution of Scientists.” But the situation itself is deeply concerning. We’ve already noted that prosecutions related to economic matters are becoming a tool for political pressure. The FSB (Russia’s Federal Security Service) is tightening its grip on science and scholars, including under the pretext of combating economic crimes. This gives the FSB yet another lever of pressure and control, in addition to its mandate “safeguarding state secrets,” which is also being expanded. Kommersant reports: “Starting September 1, the FSB will coordinate joint work between Russian and foreign scientists in certain fields. Scientific and educational organizations will be required to submit their data to a unified state information system for monitoring.”

New Entries

International Baccalaureate
August 25, 2025 The Prosecutor General’s Office has declared the activities of the Swiss educational organization International Baccalaureate (IB, International Baccalaureate Organization) undesirable on Russian territory. The International Baccalaureate has developed programs used by 5,800 schools worldwide, including in Russia.

Vladimir Gelman
August 9, 2025 The Vasileostrovsky District Court in St. Petersburg fined political scientist Vladimir Gelman 30,000 rubles under the administrative code for “discrediting the army.” The charges were based on seven posts in Gelman’s personal Telegram channel about the war against Ukraine.

Elena Koneva
August 8, 2025 Sociologist Elena Koneva was fined 15,000 rubles for appearances on Radio Liberty. The court held Koneva accountable under Article 20.33 of the Russian Administrative Code (participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization”).

Zimin Foundation
August 5, 2025 The Prosecutor General’s Office declared the Zimin Foundation an undesirable organization; it was established by VimpelCom founder and philanthropist Dmitry Zimin to advance science and education. The foundation is now led by his son Boris, who has been sentenced in absentia in Russia to nine years in prison.

Updates

Laurent Vinatier
August 21, 2025 Vinatier, who is serving a sentence in Russia, has been charged with espionage (Article 276 of the Criminal Code). Under the new charge, the political scientist faces up to 20 years in prison. The specifics of the allegations remain unknown, as reported by The Moscow Times. French President Emmanuel Macron denied that Vinatier worked for the state. He characterized the expert’s prosecution as part of a Russian disinformation campaign and also called for Vinatier’s immediate release.

Alexey Soldatov
August 15, 2025 Andrey Soldatov (son of Alexey Soldatov) reported in his Facebook account: «My father, Alexey Soldatov, has been released from custody. His prison sentence has been replaced with a fine. He is already home and feeling well, given the circumstances.”

Azat Miftakhov
August 5, 2025 The Supreme Court rejected the cassation appeal (a form of appellate review) against the verdict in Azat Miftakhov’s second case, as reported by Mediazona.

The Entire Database. Red highlights new entries. Purple — entries that have been updated.