Actress labeled as terrorist by Russia for criticizing war leads to new rivalry with Putin

Tatiana Lazareva, a 57-year-old Russian presenter and comedian, has been persecuted by the Russian government for her criticism of the war against Ukraine. As a result, she now lives in Spain. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Lazareva for “justifying terrorism” after a statement she made in an interview. Although she has expressed solidarity with victims of attacks, both from Ukrainians and Russians, she has been included on the list of Rosfinmonitoring, the main financial intelligence body of Russia.

Lazareva’s opposition to the Russian government is not new. She had protested the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and was declared a “foreign agent” by the Ministry of Justice in 2022. In June 2024, she was included on the most wanted list by the Ministry of the Interior. According to El Universal, she demanded that Putin’s government return the body of opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his family and supported the extra-parliamentary opposition in elections.

In Russia, individuals who oppose the government, whether they are artists, journalists, or activists, can face censorship and persecution. Organizations like Rosfinmonitoring monitor financial movements and restrict bank accounts of those deemed a threat to the state. The Russian government targets anyone who challenges their authority, including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In some cases, individuals face imprisonment and restrictions on their communications.

Despite the risks, some individuals continue to speak out against the government. Many have faced legal consequences, such as being accused of justifying terrorism or discrediting the armed forces. The harsh crackdown on dissenters has escalated as the conflict in Ukraine continues. The opposition in Russia faces challenges in organizing protests and expressing dissent, but some individuals continue to push back against the regime.