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A Russian activist, Nadezhda Rossinskaya, also known as Nadin Geisler, who aided Ukrainians in escaping the conflict following Moscow’s invasion, has been sentenced to 22 years imprisonment. The charges include treason and financing terrorism, according to her legal counsel and reports from Russian media.
Activist Sentenced for Aiding Ukrainians
Details of the Case
Rossinskaya operated a volunteer organization called “Army of Beauties.” This group asserted it facilitated the removal of thousands of individuals from Russian-occupied areas; however, these figures have not been independently verified.
The organization stated that some evacuees traveled to unoccupied Ukraine via Russia’s southwestern Belgorod region. This area contained the last operational checkpoint between the two nations at that time.
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Circumstances Leading to Arrest
In 2023, Rossinskaya, concerned for her personal safety, relocated from Russia to Georgia. Nevertheless, she chose to return to Belgorod several months later to manage a challenging evacuation, as reported by independent Russian news outlets.
She was taken into custody in February 2024 following an Instagram posting that solicited donations for Ukrainian armed forces. Subsequently, she faced accusations of treason and funding terrorism, as indicated by legal documents and her attorney, Alexey Pryanishnikov.
The Trial and Rebuttal
Rossinskaya refuted all accusations of misconduct. Her lawyer asserted that she neither composed nor disseminated the contested post, according to a trial record compiled by the Russian independent media outlet, Mediazona.
Prosecutors had sought a notably severe sentence of 27 years for Rossinskaya, whose case was heard in a military court in Belgorod.
Mediazona stated that Rossinskaya responded by requesting the court to sentence her to 27 years and one day if convicted, to ensure her prison term was the longest ever given to a woman in modern Russia.
Comparison to Other Cases
Darya Trepova is currently serving a 27-year sentence for delivering a bomb in 2023 that resulted in the death of a pro-war blogger in St. Petersburg.
Designation as an “Extremist”
Last September, Rossinskaya was included in Russia’s list of “extremists and terrorists.” This list encompasses numerous individuals and groups who have openly criticized the war, attempted to raise funds for Ukraine, or provided support to those impacted by the conflict.
Increased Treason Cases in Russia
Cases related to treason, espionage, and collaboration with foreign entities have significantly increased following Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to a report by a Russian lawyers’ association.
According to Pervy Otdel, a minimum of 792 individuals faced trial on related charges between Russia’s large-scale invasion in February 2022 and the close of December 2024. More than 530 were found guilty.