Russia designates anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin a ‘foreign agent’
Russia’s Justice Ministry has added politician Boris Nadezhdin to its “foreign agents” registry.
The ministry said Nadezhdin participated in creating and distributing materials produced by other “foreign agents” and “undesirable” organizations, spread “false information” about decisions made by Russian authorities and about the country’s electoral system, and called for participation in unsanctioned rallies and pickets.
Three others were added to the registry alongside him: his project “Shtab kandidatov” (“Candidates’ Headquarters”), journalist Yekaterina Voropay, and Timofey Rogozhin, the head of Arctic People and an expert on Arctic tourism.
Speaking to the Russian Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti, Nadezhdin said the designation would not affect his work. He intends to continue his political activities and has no plans to leave Russia.
“What is there to comment on? I’ll keep living and fighting. This is unlikely to change anything in my political life. I’ll keep running for the lower house of Russia’s parliament and collecting signatures,” he said.
In 2024, Nadezhdin ran as a candidate in Russia’s presidential election. He was the only candidate with an anti-war position. A broad campaign mounted in support of his candidacy drew lines at signature-collection sites. The Central Election Commission barred him from the race, citing a high rate of invalid signatures.
In mid-June 2026, Nadezhdin filed documents with the Central Election Commission to run for the lower house of Russia’s parliament as an independent candidate and began collecting signatures in his support.
Since May 2024, “foreign agents” in Russia have been barred from participating in elections.
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