Konstantin Podoshvelev

A resident of St Petersburg and formerly an employee of the Interior Ministry in Khabarovsk Krai, Podoshvelev was detained on 14 February 2024 on suspicion of painting anti-war slogans. According to the St Petersburg police, he had “been in contact with handlers from Ukraine for some time and was preparing to join a terrorist organisation”. On 19 February 2024, he was remanded in custody. His pre-trial measure was changed to house arrest on 13 March.

In June 2024, it became known that Podoshvelev had also been charged with attempted participation in a terrorist community: investigators alleged that he had planned to join the “Legion of Freedom of Russia”. He was again taken into custody. The case was subsequently brought to court on charges of participation in a terrorist organisation, rather than attempted participation in a terrorist community.

In June 2025, the court sentenced Podoshvelev to fourteen years’ imprisonment, the first three years to be served in prison and the remainder in a high-security penal colony. He was also fined 250,000 roubles.