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Official Statistics of the Judicial Department of the Supreme Court on Countering Extremism for the First Half of 2024
The Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has published statistics on articles of the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses applied in the first half of 2024. We present data concerning the application of provisions on public speech and banned groups and provisions on distributing prohibited materials and symbols.
The Metamorphoses of Post-Soviet Russian Nationalism: Less Violence, More Bonds. Resentment Is Inevitable.

13 September 2024 Rights in Russia published a translation of Alexander Verkhovsky’s article from Novaya gazeta «The Metamorphoses of Post-Soviet Russian Nationalism: Less Violence, More Bonds. Resentment Is Inevitable».


What is Behind the Kremlin’s Increasingly Anti-Migration Line?
SOVA Center Director Alexander Verkhovsky looks at the tightening of labor migration legislation in Russia, along with recent actions taken by authorities, and argues that the government is trying to control migration rather than restrict it. Still, this control has a clear ideological aspect and is exacerbating anti-migration sentiments.
Islam, Orthodox human rights, and the ‘Destructology’ pseudo-science: Roman Silantyev's Trajectory

This article first published by the George Washington University's Russia Program focuses on Roman Silantyev, an academic public expert on Islam commissioned by the prosecution in the notorious case of theater director Yevgeniya Berkovich and playright Svetlana Petriichuk. Due to this case, the general public learned about the pseudo-science of “destructology” created by Silantyev, an important figure in the “political wing” of the Russian Orthodox Church who interacts frequently with state repression and propaganda apparatus.

Ultranationalist Violence in Russia Trending Up

Based on data collected by the SOVA Research Center, researcher Natalia Yudina looks at radical nationalism in Russia in recent years, in particular how it has been affected by anti-migrant policies and official rhetoric, the war in Ukraine and the recent terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

Along the Beaten Track. Anti-extremism law enforcement in Russia in 2023 with regard to countering public statements and organized activity, including radical nationalism

This report by Natalia Yudina is an analytic review of the anti-extremism law enforcement in Russia in 2023 with regard to countering public statements and organized activity, including countering radical nationalism.

The New Generation of the Far-Right and Their Victims. Hate Crimes and Counteraction to Them in Russia in 2023
This is an analytic review focused on the phenomenon, known as hate crimes – that is, on ordinary criminal offenses committed on the grounds of ethnic, religious or other similar enmity or prejudice.
Should We Expect a Rapprochement Between Liberals and Nationalists?
See Alexander Verkhovsky's piece published by Russia.Post. The author takes a look at attempts by liberals to build bridges with Russian nationalists in 2022–2023.

Russian Nationalists’ Movement Against the Backdrop of War in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has changed Russian society in many ways. One of the most anticipated areas of these changes is related to nationalism, and these changes are certainly taking place. This article will discuss only those changes that directly relate to the Russian nationalists’ movement, that is, a wide and extremely heterogeneous set of politically active people who define themselves mainly as nationalists.

How the regime carries on the fight against Russian nationalists amid the war in Ukraine
Natalia Yudina describes how law enforcement’s approach to dealing with the ultra-right in Russia is evolving, even as one of the goals of the “special military operation” was “denazification.”