Train passenger fined for shouting ‘That’s what you deserve, Russians!’ during drone attack

A Russian court fined a train passenger 30,000 rubles (about $375) for shouting an anti-Russian slogan during a Ukrainian drone attack. According to local court records, “M.E. Reutt” was traveling from Samara to the Black Sea resort of Adler on July 18. She allegedly yelled, “That’s what you deserve, Russians!” as drones struck railway infrastructure outside Rostov. She was later convicted of “discrediting” Russia’s army. 

The state news outlet RIA Novosti later identified the woman as Margarita Reutt, noting that she pleaded guilty to the charges and has a disability, which the court considered a mitigating factor. Reutt also received two days in jail for resisting officers who tried to escort her to a local police station.

Since the invasion began in February 2022, thousands of Russians have faced prosecution under laws criminalizing criticism of the military, which carry penalties ranging from fines to lengthy prison sentences. The “discrediting” law specifically targets public statements that undermine support for Russian forces, with authorities interpreting the scope broadly. 

The incident occurred during a major Ukrainian drone attack that temporarily shut down dozens of train routes and left thousands of passengers stranded. Russian authorities said they shot down 24 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region as part of a larger barrage targeting multiple regions.