Moscow Ex-Councilman Arrested Over April 2022 Social Media Posts on Ukrainian Civilian Deaths

Maxim Kruglov, a former Moscow city councilman and deputy leader of the Yabloko political party, was sentenced to seven years in prison for disseminating “fake” information about the Russian military, according to The Moscow Times. The conviction stems from social media posts Kruglov published in April 2022 regarding civilian deaths following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Kruglov was arrested in October over the content of those posts, which discussed the impact of the conflict on non-combatants. The court’s decision follows a pattern of prosecutions under Russia’s strict wartime censorship laws, which criminalize reports that contradict official government narratives about the military.

Why was Maxim Kruglov sentenced to prison?

The seven-year sentence was handed down because Kruglov used social media to discuss civilian casualties in Ukraine. According to The Moscow Times, the legal basis for the conviction was the dissemination of “war fakes,” a charge used by Russian authorities to penalize individuals who describe the military intervention as a “war” or report on alleged atrocities.

The specific posts in question date back to April 2022. These entries focused on the deaths of civilians, a topic the Russian state has heavily restricted since the start of the invasion. Kruglov’s role as a former Moscow city councilman and a leader within the Yabloko party increased the visibility of his statements, which prosecutors argued violated national security laws.

What is the “war fakes” law?

The “war fakes” charge refers to Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which was introduced shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. This law makes it a crime to spread “knowingly false information” about the use of the Russian Armed Forces.

Under this statute, the state does not need to prove that the information was intended to cause harm, only that it differed from official Ministry of Defense reports. Penalties for first-time offenders can reach up to 15 years in prison, depending on the severity of the “fake” and the perceived impact on the public.

Human rights monitors and international legal bodies have noted that this law effectively criminalizes independent journalism and political dissent. By designating any report of civilian death not confirmed by the Kremlin as a “fake,” the state has created a legal environment where reporting on the human cost of the conflict is a prosecutable offense.

How does this affect the Yabloko party?

Yabloko is one of Russia’s oldest liberal opposition parties. It has historically advocated for democratic reforms and human rights within the Russian Federation. The sentencing of Kruglov, a deputy leader of the organization, represents a direct strike against the party’s leadership structure.

The party has faced increasing pressure since 2022. While Yabloko has attempted to maintain a legal presence within the Russian political system, the imprisonment of its officials demonstrates the narrowing window for legal opposition. This case mirrors other instances where liberal politicians have been targeted for opposing the military campaign in Ukraine.

What is the broader context of these court cases?

Kruglov’s case is part of a wider crackdown on speech. Since 2022, dozens of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have been jailed for similar offenses. The Russian judiciary has consistently upheld these convictions, often with little to no evidence that the defendants intended to deceive the public.

Legal analysts point to a contrast between the treatment of state-approved reporting and independent accounts. While state media outlets report military successes, any mention of civilian casualties or war crimes—such as those documented in Bucha or Mariupol—can trigger an investigation under Article 207.3.

The seven-year term for Kruglov is significantly higher than the sentences given to some early protesters, suggesting a trend toward harsher penalties for those in positions of political influence or public office.