In a chilling demonstration of the draconian measures Russia has adopted to suppress dissent, a 19-year-old activist known only as Svetlana has been sentenced to prison. Her crime? Expressing criticism of the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has triggered international condemnation and widespread human rights concerns. Svetlana’s case highlights the chilling reality for young voices who dare to challenge the established narrative surrounding the war. The sentence serves as a stark reminder of the heavy price dissent can come at in Russia, where open criticism is increasingly viewed as an act of treason.
