Yabloko to conduct actions of writing letters to political prisoners in Moscow and the Russian regions: schedule for March and April
Press Release, 20.03.2026
Photo: Postcards by artist Sasha Skochilenko, a former political prisoner / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
Yabloko is continuing its regular action of writing letters to political prisoners. Every month, Yabloko members and all who wish to attend the events at the party’s offices in Moscow and the regions sign postcards and write letters to people who are being held in custody on politically motivated criminal charges. According to human rights defenders, as of 20 March 2026, there are at least 1,450 political prisoners in Russia.
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Yabloko relaunches Yabloko Party University: there will be six departments and new learning formats
Press Release, 20.03.2026
The Yabloko party is announcing the relaunch of the Yabloko Party University, an open lecture platform inspired by European traditions of political education and the free exchange of ideas.
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Conferences and Seminars, Education and Science.
Comments: none
Round table on problems in education to be held by Moscow Yabloko
Press Release, 20.03.2026
Photo by Yevgeny Razumny, Kommersant
Moscow Yabloko is continuing its series of round tables devoted to protecting the rights of Muscovites. On 31 March, a meeting with representatives of the education sector, politicians, and academics will be held at the Yabloko Moscow office. The theme of the round table is “Education for the 21st Century: What Skills Should Schools and Universities Provide?”
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Conferences and Seminars, Education and Science, Human Rights, Social Policies, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Pskov Yabloko puts forward a demographic programme for the Russian Government
Press Release, 19.03.2026
Photo by Konstantin Kokoshkin, Kommersant
Artur Gaiduk, a Yabloko deputy in the Pskov Regional Assembly and a medical doctor, has written to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin proposing improvements to the quality of assisted reproductive technology services within the compulsory medical insurance (CMI) system.
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Healthcare, Social Policies, The Yabloko Faction in the Pskov Regional Assembly, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
New lawsuit filed against Irkutsk City Administration over refusal to give a permission for the “Free Internet” and pro-Telegram rally
Press Release, 19 March 2026
Photo by Sergei Konkov, Kommersant
On 18 March, Pavel Kharitonenko, an activist and Yabloko supporter, filed a lawsuit with the Kirovsky District Court of Irkutsk over the city administration’s refusal to approve a rally against the blocking of the Internet, certain messaging applications and services. Kharitonenko indicates in the lawsuit that constitutional right of the plaintiff to peaceful assembly, meetings, rallies and demonstrations, as well as the right to orgnise public events was violated
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Public Prosecutor General’s Office to launch an investigation on Senator Muratov’s statement about the plans to mobilise the entire defence sector to vote for the ruling United Russia party at the upcoming parliamentary elections
Press Release, 19.03.2026
Photo: Sergei Muratov, member of the Federation Council of Russia representing the legislative (representative) body of state authority of the Kurgan Region / Photo by Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant
Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov has sent a letter to Public Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Alexander Gutsan demanding a legal assessment of a statement made by Federation Council member Sergei Muratov. The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Defence and Security publicly declared his intention to “mobilise the entire defence-industrial complex” to vote for the candidate from the ruling United Russia party in the upcoming State Duma elections.
Read more »
Posted: March 20th, 2026 under Elections, Governance, Human Rights, State Duma Elections, State Duma Elections 2026, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
Kazan authorities refuse Yabloko permission to hold rally against Internet blocking, citing allegedly unlawful purpose
Press Release, 18.03.2026
The organisers of the rally “In Defence of a Free Internet” in Kazan — representatives of Yabloko — published on Wednesday the Executive Committee’s response to their notification. Officials stated that the aim of “drawing public and media attention” to the blocking of messaging applications and the Internet more broadly “did not meet the requirements” of the Law “On Rallies”.
Read more »
Posted: March 19th, 2026 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Appeal Court upholds conviction of Maritime Territory Yabloko leader Marina Zheleznyakova on “rehabilitation of Nazism”
Press Release, 18.03.2026
Photo: Marina Zheleznyakova / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On 18 March, Russia’s Fifth Court of Appeals heard the appeal of Marina Zheleznyakova, Chair of the Yabloko regional branch in the Maritime Territory, against her conviction on a charge of “rehabilitation of Nazism” and a fine of 2 million roubles. In the appeal, her lawyer Sergei Valiulin cited “significant”, “egregious” and “repeated” procedural violations by the Primorsky Regional Court, which had delivered its verdict in November 2025: the jury had included individuals who were ineligible under the law, the judge had breached the secrecy of deliberations, and the proceedings had been conducted according to a script drawn up by the prosecution. On those grounds, Marina Zheleznyakova demanded either that the conviction be quashed or that she be tried again in proceedings conducted in accordance with Russian law, rather than in flagrant disregard of it.
Read more »
Posted: March 19th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Alexander Shishlov, leader of the Yabloko faction in the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, charged with “displaying extremist symbols”
Press Release, 17.03.2026
Photo: Alexander Shishlov / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On 16 March, the website of the Petrogradsky District Court of St.Petersubrg informed on an administrative case against Alexander Shishlov, Coordinator of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee and head of the Yabloko faction in the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly. According to the information, the charge was filed under the article on “displaying extremist symbols” (Article 20.3, Part 1, of the Code of Administrative Offenses).
Read more »
Posted: March 19th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
Application for a rally for free Internet filed in Kazan: Yabloko intends to demand free access to information
Press Release, 17.03.2026
Photo: Sofya Fyodorova, lawyer and applicant for the Kazan rally / Photo by the Tatarstan branch of Yabloko
Representatives of Yabloko submitted a notification to the Kazan Executive Committee regarding a planned rally in defence of a free Internet, the Tatarstan branch of the party has announced. The stated aim of the event is to “draw the attention of the public, the media, and state authorities” to the protection of citizens’ right to freedom of information, including the freedom to seek, receive, and disseminate it. In addition to opposing the blocking and slow down of messaging across the Russian Federation, Yabloko members intend to speak out against the imposition of the state messenger MAX.
Read more »
Posted: March 18th, 2026 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
On the Concept of Building a Premium-Class Residential Complex on Bolshaya Ordynka street in Moscow
Statement by the Bureau of the Moscow Regional Branch of the Yabloko Party, 16.03.2026
Photo: The building of the Automatic Telephone Switching Centre as it stands today (left) and the proposed residential complex (right) / Photo: by @Buegvl/Yandex.Panoramas, Archi.ru
The Moscow Urban Planning and Land Commission has approved the concept for the construction of a premium residential complex at 25 Bolshaya Ordynka. The implementation of this project entails the demolition of the first Moscow Automatic Telephone Switching Centre built in 1927 to a standard design by engineer Vaclav Patek. We consider this decision to be misguided and damaging to the historic character of the [Moscow historic region of] Zamoskvorechye.
Read more »
Posted: March 16th, 2026 under Environmental Policies, Protection of Environment, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Demanding free access to information is unlawful: the Office of the Irkutsk Mayor cites the Constitution to justify refusal to approve rally for free Internet
Press Release, 16.03.2026
Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
Pavel Kharitonenko, activist and organiser of the “For a Free Internet” rally in Irkutsk, has received the city administration’s response to his application to hold the event. The refusal was expected; however, the grounds given are remarkable: demands for free access to information and freedom of expression are, according to the authorities, unlawful.
Read more »
Posted: March 16th, 2026 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
Irkutsk Yabloko has submitted a second notification for a rally “For a Free Internet” and in defence of Telegram
Press Release, 13.03.2026
Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
Today, on 13 March, the Irkutsk branch of Yabloko has submitted another notification to the Irkutsk city administration for a rally “For a Free Internet” and in defence of Telegram. This was reported by Grigory Gribenko, Chairman of Irkutsk Yabloko and a member of the organising committee for the forthcoming event.
Read more »
Posted: March 13th, 2026 under Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
Moscow Yabloko demands that the authorities explain the reasons for the total shutdown of the Internet and mobile communications
Press Release, 13.03.2026
Photo by Roman Yarovitsyn, Kommersant
Since 6 March, there have been mass shutdowns of the Internet and mobile communications across Moscow, leaving residents of the capital at times completely cut off from the outside world and unable to obtain assistance or services. In addition, regional small and medium-sized businesses have been sustaining losses running into billions of roubles. The authorities, meanwhile, have not only failed to provide any explanation but have also offered no alternatives to protect Moscow residents from recurring isolation. On 13 March, the Bureau of Moscow Yabloko set out its demands: that the authorities support businesses, improve the provision of information to citizens, and explain the reasons behind the total shutdown of the Internet and mobile communications.
Read more »
Posted: March 13th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
15 years since the Fukushima nuclear disaster
Statement by the Bureau of the Yabloko’s Green Russia Faction, 11.03.2026
Photo: A Yabloko party event in Petrozavodsk, Karelia, on the first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, 2012 / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
The disaster at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant has entered the history of nuclear energy as one of the largest man-made catastrophes in human history. The explosions at three reactor units, combined with the release of radionuclides into coastal waters, contaminated vast areas with hazardous materials. An enormous number of people were exposed to radiation. The consequences of the Fukushima disaster have not been eliminated. Radioactive water continues to flow into the world’s oceans. Untreated nuclear materials remain a potential danger to the populations of South-East Asia. Radionuclides, entering the food chains of marine ecosystems, are spreading far beyond the region. The threat of internal radiation exposure persists for millions of people in Japan and other countries, including Russia.
Read more »
Posted: March 13th, 2026 under Environmental Policies, Governance, Protection of Environment, YABLOKO for Nuclear Safety.
Comments: none
The Federal Penitentiary Service is withholding information about Maxim Kruglov’s prison account, sabotaging his correspondence with the Public Monitoring Commission, and blocking his access to books and newspapers
Press Release, 11.03.2026
Photo: Maxim Kruglov in court on 27 February 2026 / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On 11 March, Natalia Tikhonova, the lawyer representing Yabloko Deputy Chair Maxim Kruglov, shared several updates relating to her client’s detention in Remand Prison No. 2, Butyrka, in Moscow, where Kruglov is being held on charges of spreading “fake news” about the Russian Armed Forces. According to his defence, the politician has been unable to obtain from Butyrka any information about his correspondence with the Public Monitoring Commission or about his own monetary account at the Federal Penitentiary Service facility. In addition, he has stopped receiving books from the remand prison library and newspapers to which he holds a paid subscription.
Read more »
Posted: March 13th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
A search was conducted at the home of Yabloko member Nikolai Markin in the Moscow Region: he was charged with spreading “Fake News” and released on an undertaking not to leave the town
Press Release, 10.03.2026
Photo: Nikolai Markin / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service
On the morning of 10 March, police arrived at the home of Yabloko party member Nikolai Markin, where he lives with his mother in the town of Ramenskoye, the Moscow region. Police had with a search warrant. The phones of everyone present in Markin’s home were confiscated. Nikolai only managed to inform his colleagues that the warrant referred to the opening of a criminal case under Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, known as the article on “fake news” about the Russian Armed Forces. In the afternoon Markin was questioned by investigators, after which the charge was reclassified.
Nikolai Markin, 49, is a Yabloko member, urban heritage defender, and activist. In 2019, he ran as the party’s candidate for the town council. In January 2025, he was held administratively liable under the article on “discrediting” the armed forces (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences) for a post on social media and was fined 35,000 roubles.
Read more »
Posted: March 12th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches.
Comments: none
Grigory Yavlinsky “2050: Lisbon — Vladivostok. The Future, Politics, The Individual”
Grigory Yavlinsky’s website, 6.03.2026
“First, you know, a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally it is seen to be so important that its adversaries claim that they themselves discovered it”.
(William James, Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, 1907)
In September 2025 I set out in my article “There Is Only One Solution” the key tenets of the conversation on the future: the end of an era, the exclusion of mankind from the centre of politics, technology risks and the need for a conscious move towards the future based on universal human values . This work develops these tenets, provides a more detailed line of reasoning on the proposed alternative and addresses the issues which arose during discussions of the September publication. This is a conversation about an idea that hardly anyone is ready to believe today against the backdrop of today’s tragic developments — that there is a positive future for Russia and Europe and the concept of a Big European Project with Man at its centre. Read more »
Posted: March 12th, 2026 under Foreign policy, Russia-Eu relations, Russia-Ukraine relations.
Comments: none
“Equality begins with believing in one’s own worth”: Yabloko presents the first Galina Mikhaleva Prize
Press Release, 6 March 2026
On 5 March, the Yabloko party announced the laureates of the Prize “For Achievements in the Struggle for Gender Equality,” named after Galina Mikhaleva, human rights defender, Doctor of Political Science, and Chair of the Yabloko party’s Gender Faction. The establishment of the Prize was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of Galina Mikhaleva’s death (27 February), and the announcement of the laureates with International Women’s Day.
Galina Mikhaleva was one of the central figures of the Russian women’s human rights movement. Throughout her life she devoted herself selflessly to promoting the ideas of gender equality in society and combating violence and discrimination. To honour her memory and recognise those who continue her work, Yabloko established the Prize. Applications were accepted until 28 February 2026 inclusive, after which an expert jury — comprising politicians, human rights defenders, writers and journalists — selected the winners in five categories.
Read more »
Posted: March 12th, 2026 under Gender Faction, Human Rights.
Comments: none
Yabloko’s Deputy of the Novgorod City Duma Anna Cherepanova urges Russian Ombudsperson to help women political prisoners Yevgenia Berkovich and Nika Novak
Press Release, 5.03.2026
Photo: Imprisoned journalist Nika Novak (left) and theatre director Yevgenia Berkovich (right) / Photo from Telegram channels
Anna Cherepanova, Deputy Chair of the Yabloko party and deputy of the Novgorod City Duma, is demanding that the rights of political prisoners Yevgenia Berkovich and Nika Novak be upheld. She has submitted formal parliamentary inquiries to the Human Rights Ombudsperson of the Russian Federation, Tatyana Moskalkova, as well as to the public prosecutor’s offices of Irkutsk (where Novak is held) and Kostroma (where Berkovich is held).
Read more »
Posted: March 5th, 2026 under Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, Judiciary, Yabloko's Regional Branches, Без рубрики.
Comments: none
