Russian state prosecutors have demanded a 27-year prison sentence for Nadezhda Rossinskaya, an activist from Belgorod known as Nadin Geisler, in a case that exemplifies the escalating suppression of dissent and humanitarian work in the country. Rossinskaya, founder of the volunteer group "Army of Beauties," faces charges of high treason, financing terrorism, and making public calls against state security.
Authorities allege that Rossinskaya, who provided humanitarian aid including food, medicine, and evacuation assistance to Ukrainians following the full-scale invasion, used her platform to raise funds for the Ukrainian military. The prosecution's case heavily relies on an Instagram post soliciting donations for Ukraine's "Azov" regiment. Rossinskaya has unequivocally denied any ownership of or connection to the social media account in question.
Arrested in February 2024, the charges against her were progressively escalated from "anti-war calls" to severe accusations of treason and terrorism, a common tactic used to penalize activists.
In a defiant statement responding to the prosecutor's demand, Rossinskaya displayed remarkable courage. "The record sentence for a woman in Russia is Daria Trepova's 27 years. They want to give me the same," she said. "I will ask the judge to release me, but failing that... I will ask for 27 years and one day, just to set a new Russian record." Her case highlights the extreme measures being used to silence peaceful voices and criminalize solidarity with victims of the conflict.