Press Release, 28.11.2025

Photo: Participants of the event of writing letters on 27 November / Photo by Vyacheslav Radchenko

On 27 November, Moscow Yabloko held an action of writing letters to political prisoners – a monthly event where anyone can write a few words to people who are convicted or awaiting trial in politically motivated criminal cases. This time, Yabloko members paid special attention to their colleague and Yabloko Deputy Chairman Maxim Kruglov, who is in a remand prison on charges of disseminating “fakes” about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

It should be noted that Maxim Kruglov is the sixth Yabloko party member deprived of liberty for his principled anti-war views.

At the event, his lawyer Natalia Tikhonova spoke, telling how steadfastly Maxim endures detention, how he feels, what books he reads and how he rejoices at letters of support.

Photo: Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov / Photo by Vyacheslav Radchenko

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov traditionally participated in the event of writing letters to political prisoners. In his welcoming address to the evening participants, he emphasised that the day when letters arrive for each political prisoner is special:

“Letters are like a breath of freedom – they inspire hope and strengthen resolve.”

A special moment of the evening was the presentation of a painting with the sacramental title “February” to Yabloko member Andrei Yurkov. This gift to a party colleague was presented by party Federal Bureau member Andrei Morev as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for constant active participation in the events of writing letters and dozens of messages sent by Yurkov.

“Our common goal is the earliest possible release of all political prisoners,” Andrei Morev said.

Photo: Andrei Morev presents the painting to Andrei Yurkov / Photo by Vyacheslav Radchenko

The event organiser Anna Shatunovskaya-Byurno read letters from imprisoned teenagers and called for writing letters not only to well-known politicians and public figures, but also to hundreds of ordinary citizens who have ended up behind bars in politically motivated cases.

Today there are already 1,218 political prisoners in Russia; a month ago there were 1,143 such people. The majority of political cases are not widely covered in media, and often only lawyers and human rights defenders know about political prisoners and repressions against them.

Photo: Regular participant in actions of writing letters, Yabloko member Anna Poluektova / Photo by Vyacheslav Radchenko

Writer and artist Maria Voloshchuk, during the evening of writing letters, spoke about the importance of supportfor political prisoners – as a connection with freedom, a breakthrough of the information vacuum in which they find themselves, and also about how helping political prisoners unites people of good will.

Photo: Natalia Porokhova / Photo by Vyacheslav Radchenko

Party member Olga Verbovaya read her poems about peace and freedom, whilst regular participant in such evenings Natalia Porokhova performed original versions of songs – full of subtle lyricism and honest civic resonance.

Following the results of the event, participants wrote over 300 letters addressed to 71 political prisoners.