Ever since Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, universities across the country have dramatically ramped up expulsions of students over their political views. Even those who managed to keep their places have faced psychological pressure and reprimands. Repression doesn’t only target those who take part in protests, but also those who post social media stories in support of Ukraine. The Insider spoke with students who were expelled for their anti-war actions and uncovered how they were forced out of universities with the help of pro-war activists and pro-Kremlin media.
Misha Martin, a final-year student at St. Petersburg State University's (SPbU) Faculty of History, was among seven students expelled following a scandal over remarks made by former SPbU associate professor Mikhail Belousov in 2023.
I was expelled just days before defending my thesis, though the pressure had started much earlier. After Feb. 24, 2022, a small but vocal pro-war group emerged in the history department, while a larger and more active anti-war group also took shape. Anti-war students openly argued with [Deputy Dean] Daudov and other administrators from the very first days of Russia’s invasion. Still, speaking directly about the war was considered taboo. Most students who weren’t involved in activism were afraid to discuss it, though private group chats were filled with heated arguments.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In class, everyone resorted to coded language. Many professors hinted at their opposition to the war without explicitly saying, “I am against it.” Instead, they would say things like, “Napoleon III started a war with Prussia, and then the Second French Empire collapsed!” One professor screened Paths of Glory, a film about World War I, making it clear it was an anti-war statement. Even the oldest professors, some in their eighties, understood everything. One openly started class by saying, “Ah yes, United Russia — just look at what they’ve started!”
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Professors didn’t openly say they were against the war — instead, they said things like “Look, Napoleon III started a war with Prussia, and then the Second French Empire collapsed!”
Some faculty members, however, were staunchly pro-war. Alexander Kotov frequently exclaimed, “How can Ukrainians and Belarusians not be ashamed to stand with the Poles — the wicked Catholics — against Orthodox Russia?” Another, Vladimir Baryshnikov, once showed photos of revolutionaries from World War I and remarked, “These are real photos, not staged propaganda like the ones the Armed Forces of Ukraine post today!”
After my expulsion, I joined an academic conference discussing historical responsibility. There, Baryshnikov delivered a lecture on Finnish “nationalists” allegedly seeking revenge against Russia. His presentation included a quote from Finnish President Alexander Stubb — “We Finns understand what is at stake” — which he twisted into a supposed territorial threat, suggesting Stubb wanted to reclaim the Karelian Isthmus. He then displayed an image of Zelensky speaking before Finland’s parliament, exclaiming, “Look! The fascist Zelensky in front of the Finnish parliament!” He was attempting to justify the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939.
I attended protests frequently but was never officially charged — though I came dangerously close to arrest multiple times. SPbU students who were detained were threatened with expulsion, but most cases ended in reprimands. They were forced to sign statements like: “I was overcome with concern for civilians and mistakenly joined the protest — I do not oppose our government.”
Before the war, university administrators had to find creative ways to expel unwanted students. But after it began, both the administration and pro-war students gained new leverage. Anyone who publicly opposed the war or signed petitions was charged with “discrediting the army,” and students with administrative or criminal offenses could be easily expelled. Fear silenced most students, while a small group of pro-war activists realized they now had the upper hand.
The administration, too, became increasingly comfortable with repression. The first attempt to expel us came in November 2022, when pro-war students brought screenshots of our private arguments about the war to Daudov, demanding our removal for “uncivil behavior.” Daudov hesitated, so we countered with our own screenshots showing the pro-war students using even harsher language. That halted the process — temporarily.
At that point, the pro-war students realized they needed media support. The administration was eager to expel us but didn’t want negative publicity, as had happened with the 2019 scandal surrounding SPbU professor Oleg Sokolov. This experience likely pushed them to seize on the Belousov affair.
The narrative that we were expelled because of Belousov was manufactured by the faculty’s pro-war faction. No one would have paid much attention to the expulsion of regular anti-war students, but by portraying Belousov as the leader of an “organized criminal group” within the history department, the university administration and Russian pro-war media took notice.
Most of the expelled students had never even taken a class with Belousov. My only interaction with him was through the student council, when we debated a new course called The Great Patriotic War: A History Without a Statute of Limitations, to be taught by propagandist Yegor Yakovlev.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Most of the expelled students had never even taken a class with Belousov.
During the student council elections, we staged a small protest — wearing striped shirts and taking photos with various professors. Belousov joined in, and that was the extent of our contact. But to the pro-war students, this photo was the perfect opportunity to spread the legend of an underground “anti-state conspiracy” within the university — straight out of a Dostoevsky novel.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Belousov scandal surfaced in the media just a week after the student council elections, in which anti-war candidates overwhelmingly defeated the pro-war faction. None of the administration-backed candidates secured a position. Just days later, those of us labeled as members of the so-called “organized criminal group” and “a Ukrainian abscess” in propaganda media were summoned before the university’s ethics committee.
SPbU’s rector, Kropachev, is deeply paranoid — he even employs people to monitor every mention of the university in the press.
The committee hearing was Kafkaesque — like standing alone before a wall of staring eyes. We were sent an official letter from the youth affairs department, stating: “You are required to explain the information circulating about you in the media,” with links to Readovka and other propaganda outlets. We knew the outcome would be bad, but I decided to attend and defend my position.
The hearing took place in the White Hall of the Twelve Colleges building — ironically, near a monument to university students who were victims of political repression. As we passed by, we laughed, while the administrators escorting us looked confused.
By then, our university passes had already been deactivated — even before the expulsions were finalized. I tested this by asking a non-targeted student to scan theirs, and theirs worked fine.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A large support group gathered outside, but they weren’t allowed in. A man stood at the door, checking names from a list, letting us in one by one while telling our supporters to wait outside. Whenever he stepped away, some managed to sneak in. At one point, he lost his temper and shouted, “Someone has died, and this is how you behave! Have you no shame?” No one responded.
We waited three hours before the committee began. Officially, this was because they first heard testimony from the “accusers” — all pro-war students. Then they called us in one by one.
I was interrogated the longest since I had been labeled the “leader of the criminal group” in the media. Probably, they saw me as a key figure in the anti-war movement because I was a former student council chairman and frequently challenged the administration.
The hearing was surreal. A long table, reminiscent of the one in the Putin-Macron meme, stretched before me — except this one wasn’t empty. It was lined with committee members staring at me like I was an exotic animal.
Many were elderly professors, out of touch with reality, who would sign anything put in front of them. Among them was my dean, Abdulla Daudov, looking the most dejected of all. When they accused us of being “useless students” obsessed with politics, I turned to Daudov and said, “Abdulla Khamidovich can confirm my academic achievements.” Looking down at the table, he reluctantly muttered, “Yes… that’s true.’”
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The person who asked the most questions was Yuri Penov, the acting vice-rector for legal affairs. He was constantly writing something down. Next to him sat Gennady Bogomazov, the chairman of the ethics commission — an old man who was born back in Stalin’s time. At one point, he misquoted a phrase often attributed to Lenin, saying, “Every cook must now have a position on the war.” I replied, “I’m happy for the cooks and their expertise in geopolitics, but what does that have to do with me?”
To my right sat Lyudmila Gromova, the head of the journalism history department, who had drafted an open letter in support of the war in Ukraine on behalf of the university's students. She was openly rude throughout the hearing.
The first question was the same for everyone: “What is your stance on the 'Special Military Operation'?” I answered, “You mean the military actions in Ukraine?” I paused briefly before continuing, “Negative. I consider it a major mistake and a great tragedy that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives. It has turned Russia into a pariah state and made life a nightmare for millions.”
They quickly changed the topic, asking me to talk about my work in the student council. I told them I had been the chairman, the head of cultural and sports activities, and that I had organized concerts, parties, chess tournaments, and video game competitions. But they cut me off: “Did you organize an event where you handed out 'Azov Cow' candies and raisins?”
I burst out laughing. “I probably shared some candy with friends, but I don’t recall organizing anything like that.”
Next, they asked about Belousov. I told them I had a photo with him where we were wearing striped sailor shirts — the picture that supposedly “proved” there was an “organized criminal group” within the faculty. But I also had an identical photo with Daudov — “Yet no one thinks that Abdulla Khamidovich and I are part of some underground terrorist network,” I pointed out.
Then they asked about a Ukrainian flag in my VK (VKontakte) profile — though there was no such flag there. “I openly support the people of Ukraine,” I said, “but I never put a flag on my profile picture.” So I responded, “I didn’t have a Ukrainian flag, but as far as I know, it’s not banned. It’s the flag of a UN member state, so I see nothing wrong with it — just like I wouldn’t with any other country’s flag. If I had put up a Russian flag, would you have expelled me for that too?”
They were trying to break everyone — just to get us to give even the slightest sign of support for the war. I think they wanted to graciously spare students who actually supported Russia and its actions, those who supported “our boys.” But surprisingly, only a couple of people gave in.
The blacklist of students targeted for expulsion seemed almost random. It didn’t only include anti-war activists like us, but completely unrelated people too. For example, one guy was just the host for events in the auditorium — he ran student competitions. I think this was deliberate. They probably hoped that if they mixed in a few unrelated students and put them under the threat of expulsion or even prison, they might be willing to testify against the rest of us. But fortunately, no one betrayed anyone. Those who caved in [and showed support for the war] — caved in for themselves alone. May God forgive them.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The final question came from Penov. He asked, “Mikhail, but can you at least say that you are not against the 'Special Military Operation'?” I replied, “No, I cannot.” They immediately ended the meeting. I believe they had a list of bullet points they were following, hoping to get me to say something useful for their narrative — but nothing worked.
Fedor Solomonov, the student at the center of the controversy, was my age but two years behind me — just a regular history student with his own peculiarities. Even before the war, he supported the Donbas separatists and all those other “banana republics.” When the full-scale invasion began, he posted, “Ukraine, we're walking all over you,” volunteered for the war, and died. Reports say that by late March [2022], he was still in training, and by April 1, he was already dead.
Penov then asked me, “Would you be willing to publicly say that Solomonov is a hero?” Of course, I couldn't support what he did. I felt deeply sorry that he had ruined his life, but I couldn't say anything positive about his choice — to go invade Ukraine. So I asked Penov in return, “Did they award him the Hero of Russia medal?” In reality, he was never given that honor, though he did receive some recognition. I was betting that the less-informed committee members would confirm any award — and Penov played right into it. When he agreed, I clapped my hands and said, “Well, there you go!” They immediately understood that I had sidestepped their trap.
The truth is, they had no real dirt on us. The rumor that we mocked Solomonov was false — no one did. When I heard about his death, I simply thought, “He destroyed himself.” That was it. We had no reaction beyond that. Attending a memorial event for him would have been like giving a Nazi salute, but openly gloating over his death wasn’t something I — or anyone else — intended to do. The pro-Kremlin crowd falsely attributed a screenshot to Belousov, claiming he had mocked Solomonov’s death, when in reality, all he had said was that “any glorification of Russian imperialism is disgusting.”
They had nothing but screenshots of our debates in the comment sections on VK. The harshest thing I had written was: “As you can see, it’s not only fascist dictatorships that start wars of conquest in Europe.” These screenshots circulated in the media. Where was the mockery of Solomonov? Where was the offense against Russia? All they showed was anti-war students arguing with pro-war students.
In 2019, I debated Stalinists, but back then, expelling someone over a “you're an idiot — no, you're an idiot” argument seemed unthinkable. This time, the committee leaned on “witness testimony,” claiming that people had heard us mocking Solomonov and singing [Ukrainian patriotic song] “Chervona Kalyna” near his memorial. Even if we had sung it, I wouldn’t consider it mockery — but no one actually did.
After the hearing, they published the results — identical protocols for everyone; it’s like they were literally copied and pasted. One part stood out to me:
“It is especially disheartening that these actions were committed by a future teacher, a historian, someone who will soon be educating children and writing academic papers on historical issues.”
The same people who orchestrated this expulsion like a back-alley gang hit were now lecturing us on morality.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The same people who orchestrated this expulsion like a back-alley gang hit were now lecturing us on morality.
On my way out of the White Hall, I ran into Griaznov, the vice-rector for security — and a former FSB officer. I asked him, “Why were our university passes blocked?” He looked at me and said, “That was a system error,” smiling. I replied, “But everyone else's passes work.” Still smiling, he said, “You're imagining things.”
Then they started postponing my thesis defense. During the hearing, I had already said, “I have my defense in a few days — if, of course, I’m allowed to attend and my pass is reactivated.” Later, at home, I received an email saying that my defense, originally scheduled for June 6, had been moved to June 11 “as part of the work of the examination committees.” I realized then that they wanted to expel me before I could defend my thesis.
I immediately checked the university's regulations and saw that they had miscalculated — the earliest they could legally expel me was June 14-15, because they needed the approval of the SPbU Student Council.
At first, the student council tried to delay the process at the request of me and other activists. But eventually, the silent majority voted for my expulsion. I know they were threatened — told that anyone who opposed it would be expelled themselves.
Then the administration rescheduled my defense again — this time to June 16. I realized that, as the “leader of the criminal organization” in their eyes, they were going to keep me there until the very end. So I decided it was better to let others leave first, and I would be the last to go. But after yet another postponement, I decided to leave immediately.
Since our expulsion, students are afraid to even breathe too loudly, and the administration threatens anyone who speaks out with the same fate. No one argues openly anymore.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Since our expulsion, students are afraid to even breathe too loudly, and the administration threatens anyone who speaks out with the same fate. No one argues openly anymore.
The funniest part? Daudov is now telling first-year students stories about how the CIA recruited us. Apparently, he wants to scare them into submission, convincing them that if they dare to think freely, they’ll immediately be turned into agents of Western intelligence — and expelled.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Maksim Belomytsev was expelled from the third year of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Kuban State University (KubGU) in 2023 for “gross violations of the KubGU Corporate Culture Code.”
I enrolled at Kuban State University in 2020, at the Faculty of Architecture and Design — I really wanted to get in. Even in my final year of high school, I attended preparatory courses in drafting, composition, and other subjects to improve my chances.
The first year was a complete nightmare. You find yourself in a new environment and have no idea what to do. I thought that becoming a class representative would make things easier — I figured it would bring me closer to the administration and help me navigate university life.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
When the war began, not much changed at the university. At a student leadership meeting, we were simply told: “Guys, be careful. It's best not to discuss this [the war] in public places.” But even among ourselves, we barely talked about it. We had four classes a day and were so exhausted that there wasn’t much time for discussions — we would just come to class and leave. Only when we met up for coffee on weekends would we talk about it.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At a student leadership meeting, we were told: “Guys, be careful. It's best not to discuss [the war] in public places.”
Of course, we were against the war. The professors, however, never spoke about what was happening — not even once.
It all started because of my Instagram posts. I have a feeling the dean’s office was monitoring our accounts. I kept switching my account from public to private, not because I was actively hiding anything, but because I had this uneasy sense that it was better to keep it private.
On February 24, 2022, I posted a message in support of the people of Ukraine, hoping for peace and victory. “I am with you,” I wrote. Exactly one year later, on February 24, 2023, I posted the same message.
Even though I was against the war, I wasn’t constantly posting about it. I was busy with my studies, participating in competitions, working on projects, and meeting deadlines. Whenever I made a post, I would set my account to private so that only my followers could see it. That’s why I suspect someone from the student union — which I had tried to join but was rejected from — leaked my posts.
During the student union elections, no one initially volunteered to represent our faculty. I thought, “I’ll do it — it’s no big deal.” But the dean immediately shut me down.
She called me into her office and said she would never allow me to lead the student union at our faculty because I was “a disgrace.”
She also tried to force me to remove my manicure — even offering me cash to do it. I give myself Korean-style manicures with creative designs. She said that if I removed my nail polish, stopped wearing makeup (which was just some eyebrow styling and a bit of CC cream), and changed my clothes (even though I wore normal outfits — maybe with the occasional printed t-shirt), then she would let me participate. But with my current appearance, she would not.
Of course, I refused — and I rejected her money too. She even threatened to excuse me from classes if I agreed to remove my manicure immediately, saying she would sign the paperwork to ensure I wouldn’t face any attendance issues. She was a raging homophobe, and she didn’t even try to hide it.
For a long time, no one confronted me about my Instagram posts. The only exception was my English teacher, who I believe was asked by the dean’s office to talk to me because they saw that we had a good relationship. She said:
“Maksim, listen, these are difficult times. Have you checked your Instagram? Are you sure you’re not doing anything bad? It’s a very dangerous time right now. Maybe you should delete some things?”
I didn’t immediately understand what she meant — I didn’t realize it was a warning. This conversation happened two to three months before my expulsion.
On June 21, 2023, I had an exam that lasted all day. The format was simple: you pull a task — for example, design a house — and then sit down and work on it. During the exam, I got a phone call from the dean’s office. The secretary asked, “Maksim, what are you doing right now?” I said, “I’m in an exam.” She replied, “Can you step out for a moment? This is very important.” I told her I could come after the exam, but she insisted it was urgent, so I went.
The dean looked terrified. Her cheeks were red, her hands slightly trembling. She asked me to sit down and showed me an article published in Zhivaya Kuban — a local newspaper. She asked, “Is this true?”
The article included screenshots from my Instagram page and was filled with vile, disgusting insults — about my anti-war stance, about me being gay, about how “filth like me” are the ones opposing the war. [The article also read: “While real men are defending the Motherland, some gender-neutral nobody is making anti-government posts.” — The Insider.]
I admitted that the photos were mine — denying that would have been pointless. But the rest? “This is just typical trash journalism,” I said. She responded, “We’ll look into it.” Then she removed me from my exam, saying I could finish it the next day. But first, I had to go to the vice-rector, who would decide my fate.
At the vice-rector’s office, he opened a thick folder — a dossier on me. Later, I found out that every student has one. Throughout your entire time at university, they collect anything they can find on you — the dean’s office takes screenshots of your social media, highlights your comments, and saves your posts with dates.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Throughout your entire time at university, they collect anything they can find on you — the dean’s office takes screenshots of your social media, highlights your comments, and saves your posts with dates.
Does this mean they have a designated person who monitors every student? It sounds insane, but the file was thick, about the size of a ream of printer paper. Most of it was probably official documents — contracts, university records — but there were definitely screenshots too.
I noticed that the vice-rector was speaking very carefully — using scripted, precise phrases, as if he was being recorded. We talked for almost an hour and a half. He gave me a whole lecture about the war, showing me images of dead civilians in Donbas and saying, “Look what the Ukrainians did to these people. Our Russian soldiers are heroes — who do you support?” He asked about my opinion on Putin, the war, and the Special Military Operation. Then, they forced me to write an explanation for why that article had been published about me.
I was in shock. My mind was racing — I was thinking about the exam I hadn’t finished, the fact that I was about to be expelled, and now, on top of that, I was being shown disturbing images. I wanted to cry, scream, and run away.
After the meeting, they let me go and told me that in two days, on June 23, an ethics commission would decide my fate. But the next day, I got sick. Maybe it was the stress, but I came down with a high fever. I went to the clinic, where they diagnosed me with a viral infection and put me on medical leave. That same day, I emailed the dean, informing her that I was sick and couldn’t attend the commission hearing. She replied that they would reschedule it.
On June 28, I started feeling better. I picked up my doctor’s note (which officially excused me from June 22-26) and headed to the university.
I was on the tram when my phone rang. It was the university librarian: “Maksim, you borrowed books from the library. You’ve been expelled, so you need to return them immediately.” I was taken aback: “What do you mean I’ve been expelled? No one told me anything. I’m on my way to the university now — I’ll find out what’s going on. If it’s true, I’ll return the books within a week.”
At the same time, I was in contact with the dean, informing her that I was bringing my medical note. She never mentioned anything about my expulsion. When I arrived at the dean’s office, she and her secretary were already standing at the door, waiting for me.
The dean looked at me and said: “It’s done. You’ve been expelled.” I was stunned — I had so many questions, but I got zero answers. I walked out, thinking: “What the f*** just happened?”
The worst part? They expelled me behind my back — holding the ethics commission while I was sick and unable to attend. And when I handed them my medical note, they changed the date of my expulsion in the official records. Instead of June 23 (when the commission was held in my absence), they moved it to June 28 — the first day I was no longer on medical leave.
I immediately called my lawyer. She told me that it was illegal to hold a hearing without me present and to expel a student while they were on medical leave. But the university couldn’t legally expel me for my political views. So, in the official order, they claimed that I was expelled for “using foul language, inappropriate behavior, and failing to uphold the university’s ideology and values.”
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
They couldn’t legally expel me for my political views — so they claimed I was “using foul language, inappropriate behavior, and failing to uphold the university’s ideology and values.”
What values? My lawyer and I requested the official document outlining these so-called values — there was no such list. They had nothing concrete to justify my expulsion. They couldn’t even claim academic failure — I had not missed a single class. So, they made up whatever they could.
With my lawyer’s help, we forced the university to hold a special commission to reconsider my case. By this time, I had already left the country. My lawyer arranged for me to attend the hearing online. The university was supposed to send me a link. They did. But when I tried to join, they kept rejecting my connection request.
My lawyer was present in the room. I messaged her, asking her to tell them to accept my request. She did. But the commission members lied to her, saying, “He's not trying to connect.” After 15 minutes, they ended the hearing and wrote in the official record that I had failed to show up. My lawyer told me that arguing was pointless — so we simply documented what had happened.
After that, we filed a lawsuit. The court rejected our claim. We filed an appeal — but now the court is deliberately stalling the process. My lawyer has now submitted a request to the judicial board, asking for the removal of the judge handling the case because he is doing absolutely nothing.
I don’t know what to expect, but we won’t stop fighting.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Dmitry Kuzmin, a first-year history student at Herzen University in St. Petersburg, was expelled after staging a solo anti-war protest for “violating the university's internal regulations.” Prior to this, he had also been expelled from the history department of St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU) due to his anti-war stance.
As early as ninth grade, I decided to pursue a history degree. The question was: where? The simplest and most cost-effective option was Kemerovo University — [Dmitry graduated from high school in the village of Sheregesh in the Kemerovo Region in western Siberia — The Insider] — but I wanted to study in a city with which I could identify. I was choosing between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The latter attracted me with its measured pace of life, and our close relatives lived there, so I made my choice. Naturally, I wanted to enroll at the country’s second-best university, SPbU. Back then, I had no idea how ruthless it would turn out to be.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
I understood even in school that this entire [political] system in Russia was inherently grotesque. I read [the independent media outlets] Meduza and Dozhd.
When the war began, I was in an English class. Like everyone else, I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. It made no sense — who could benefit from this? How could a full-scale war be possible in the 21st century? Then I saw a Meduza alert about a missile strike, and I was in shock. I went home and had no idea what to do. Protests had already begun in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and I decided I had to act in whatever way I could. I took two A3 sheets of paper and wrote in large red letters: No” on one and “to war” on the other. I hung them on my window. Since I lived on the first floor, the message was highly visible.
For two weeks, I followed the news, believing Ukraine would hold out. I couldn’t accept that evil could win. Hitler didn’t win. Stalinism collapsed. Mao Zedong died. I hoped this madness wouldn’t go unpunished. I wrote an angry post on VKontakte about Putin, arguing that he was a scoundrel, a Nazi, and a war criminal.
Local security agents tracked me down and reported me to the city’s education department. The school principal was reprimanded — both for my post and for my window message. She spoke to me several times, urging me to delete the post. Incidentally, I was the only student in my school who publicly opposed this insane war. I also refused to participate in school assemblies and flag-raising ceremonies because they had nothing to do with patriotism and were pure state propaganda.
Later, my mother and I were summoned to the juvenile police office, where I was issued a warning about “the inadmissibility of participating in public demonstrations.” After that, the principal called me in another three or four times, demanding that I either delete my post or stop posting altogether. But I continued — more subtly, but everyone still understood. For example, I posted a flower against the backdrop of a ruined building in Ukraine or a poem by Shevchenko. It was clear that both law enforcement and school administrators were watching me closely.
I moved to St. Petersburg, enrolled in SPbU’s history program, and took my first activist step by attending the anti-mobilization protest on September 21, 2022. At that point, I had been at SPbU for 21 days. I wrote in the university chat that a protest was planned in St. Petersburg and that I intended to go. Some supported me; others were outraged.
When I arrived, a police van was already there — big and white. Gradually, people gathered, forming a crowd, and then, like ants, more police vans and squad cars swarmed the area, filling the space from St. Isaac’s Square to Alexander Garden within twenty minutes.
We linked arms near the fence by St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Half an hour later, riot police broke us apart and started detaining people. I ended up in a police van, and since I was still a minor (I would turn 18 in five days), I was sent to the Transit shelter, where I was held until Sept. 25, when my mother arrived to collect me.
A month or two later, SPbU administrators learned about my participation in the protest and summoned me for a meeting. Acting Vice-Rector for Legal Affairs Penov and a couple of other officials were present. They asked the standard questions: “Did you participate in the protest?” I said yes — why deny it? I had never hidden my views. “How do you feel about the ‘Special Military Operation’?” I said I was against it because people were dying. But nothing happened then — they issued a disciplinary warning and let me go.
Later, I became interested in urban preservation, and my first solo protest was to protect the Ohtinsky Cape. I went there in a state of shock — I was appalled by the lawlessness taking place because, as a historian, preserving this cultural landmark was crucial. I was detained after three hours, and a report was filed against me. After that, I didn’t take part in any more protests until I was expelled — I had neither the time nor the mental energy.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
When the scandal at SPbU erupted, all politically active students were caught in the crossfire. I was no exception, though my activism had its own trajectory. I wasn’t part of Martin’s crowd — I was engaged in political struggle. Our first-year chat was divided between liberals and “cannibals” [supporters of the war], and I constantly clashed with the latter. I also wanted to join the Student Council to promote liberal initiatives, which they didn’t like.
When I was summoned to a disciplinary committee, I went. A fun fact about the history faculty’s dean, Daudov — his office had two framed photos, not of his wife or children, but of Putin and Kadyrov, like little Orthodox icons. When they asked about my stance on the “Special Military Operation,” I said that I categorically opposed it and believed it should end. I don’t know how much that influenced my expulsion, but I didn’t care. I had no intention of saving my own skin. I think they were hoping for repentance, but why betray my beliefs?
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A fun fact about the history faculty’s dean — his office had two framed photos, not of his wife or children, but of Putin and Kadyrov, like little Orthodox icons.
When the discussion turned to screenshots, while others were accused of anti-war statements and “mocking” Solomonov, I was accused of condemning the “Russian World.” Someone had screenshotted my comment: “F*** the Russian World!” Obviously, I meant the propaganda that justifies this war.
After my expulsion, I took a two-week break. During that time and up until my last solo protest in support of Maria Ponomarenko, I was fully immersed in protest activism. It was the best time of my life, what I’d call my “revolutionary period” — attending liberal and human rights events, court hearings for Sasha Skochilenko, and meeting like-minded people.
In November 2023, I was detained near my home for the first time — officers from the Center for Combating Extremism (Center “E”) used force against me. After that, my lawyer from OVD-Info and I decided to file a complaint with the Investigative Committee. On the very day I was supposed to go there, I was arrested again. There was a confrontation — I resisted. In the end, they took me to Police Station No. 25 in the Primorsky District, where they beat me.
I refused to hand over my belongings without my lawyer present. In response, four officers threw me to the floor, kicked me, and pulled my hair. In their attempt to strip me of “everything prohibited,” they squeezed my neck tightly, while a female officer at the reception desk suggested sending me to a psychiatric hospital. Then they shoved me into a holding cell.
I demanded a phone call and asked to use the restroom. In response, an officer named Boris took me out of the cell and slapped me across the face with the back of his hand, then mockingly asked, “And what are you going to do about it?” Three hours later, they transferred me to a cell with a mentally unstable soldier from the frontlines—who was relieving himself right inside the cell.
Alongside my activism, I had enrolled at the Faculty of History at Herzen University. The atmosphere there was different from SPbU — the political culture wasn’t as pronounced. There were students who opposed the war, some who supported it, and others who stuck to the usual “not everything is so clear-cut” or “I stay out of politics” stance. But overall, discussions never escalated beyond small chatroom debates.
Among professors, there were no blatant ideological statements. Some voiced opinions that the West and the U.S. were unfriendly partners, but no one directly advocated for the destruction of Ukraine. The only exception was one professor who taught the history of Ancient Rus' — she called Ukraine “State 404” and claimed it was created by “the wrong kind of Russians.”
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
One professor who taught the history of Ancient Rus' called Ukraine “State 404” and claimed it was created by “the wrong kind of Russians.”
I studied at Herzen for just over a month. Then, on Sept. 26 — my birthday — I staged a protest at Kazan Square. I held up a sign that read: “For our freedom and yours. Peace for Ukraine, freedom for Russia.”
The protest went viral in the media, which led Herzen University to convene a disciplinary commission — partly because of the media attention and partly because of Aleksei Shabanov, an officer from Center “E,” who sent a formal complaint to the university, demanding I be punished.
The commission itself was something else. It included Professor Sokolov, a group of elderly women, and a representative from the Student Council — whom, as it turned out, I already knew. We had eaten together at “Vkusno i Tochka” after a campus clean-up event.
She told me, “Dima, I warned you not to get involved in this,” adding that she believed I was guilty and that I didn’t deserve to be a Herzen University student.
The entire process was recorded on video. Their questions were as follows: “Is this you in the photos from Kazan Square holding a protest sign? What is your stance on the ‘Special Military Operation’? Do you enjoy studying at Herzen University?”
I condemned the war on camera, saying that I categorically opposed it because Russian bombings in Ukraine kill hundreds of civilians, which I find unacceptable and disgusting. One of the commission members attempted to argue with me, claiming that Russia was “liberating territories from Nazis” — in other words, she was spouting propaganda nonsense. Sokolov interrupted her, saying that they weren’t there to debate political events but to rule on Kuzmin’s fate for breaking the law.
From any rational perspective, this commission was a complete farce — a group of people gathered to judge a student for exercising his constitutional rights.
And despite accusing me of “discrediting the army,” they didn’t even have a court ruling on it — the case had never reached trial. Instead, they based their decision on media reports and Shabanov’s complaint.
I didn’t expect to be expelled on the first try, but they did it anyway. Not that it mattered — I didn’t enjoy studying at Herzen anyway, because its program was weak and dull compared to SPbU. I would have preferred to stay at SPbU, but now I no longer have the chance — not just to study, but to even return to Russia until the regime falls.
Abdulla Khamidovich Daudov is the Director of the Institute of History at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
United Russia (Единая Россия) is the ruling political party in Russia, de facto led by Vladimir Putin. It was founded in 2001 through the merger of several pro-Kremlin parties and has since dominated Russian politics. The party promotes conservative, nationalist, and pro-Kremlin policies, emphasizing stability, strong central authority, and patriotism.
Professor, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at SPbU.
In 2019, Oleg Sokolov, a Russian historian and Napoleon expert, was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend and former student, Anastasia Yeshchenko. On November 9, 2019, he was found in a river in St. Petersburg with a backpack containing a woman’s severed arms. Police later discovered Yeshchenko’s dismembered body in his apartment, along with a saw and a shotgun.
Sokolov later confessed to shooting Yeshchenko multiple times after a heated argument, then attempting to dispose of her body. In December 2020, he was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Associate Professor Belousov was dismissed from Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) for allegedly spreading information that “discredited” Russia’s “special military operation” and insulted the memory of a fallen student, 21-year-old second-year student Fyodor Solomonov, who died while taking in the invasion.
The university set up a memorial in Solomonov’s honor, and there have been requests to the university’s rector to install a commemorative plaque at 5 Mendeleevskaya Line in St. Petersburg.
“Instead of honoring the memory of our student and showing normal human compassion, Associate Professor M.S. Belousov chose to mock the situation and tarnish the student’s memory,” the university’s decision stated.
Belousov was presented with a screenshot of the alleged message as evidence. However, he denied any involvement, stating that he has no connection to the page created in his name or to the information that was deemed offensive.
“Azovskaya Korovka” (Азовская коровка) is a brand of caramel milk candies produced in Russia. The name translates to “Azov Little Cow,” referring to both the Azov confectionery factory and the cow mascot commonly associated with milk-based sweets.
The brand itself is not inherently political, but its name contains the word “Azov,” which is strongly associated with Ukraine’s Azov Regiment — a controversial military unit that has been heavily featured in Russian propaganda. Because of this, any reference to the candy has been used in politically charged contexts, sometimes as a way to provoke or mock nationalist rhetoric.
Likely a reference to the Ukrainian city of Izium (lit. “raisin”), which was liberated in Kyiv’s fall counteroffensive of 2022.
Nikolay Mikhailovich Kropachev is the Rector of Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU).
The “Russian World” (Русский мир, Russkiy Mir) is a political and ideological concept promoted by the Kremlin that envisions a transnational Russian cultural, linguistic, and geopolitical sphere of influence. It is used to justify Russian expansionism, influence over former Soviet states, and the war against Ukraine.
Maria Ponomarenko is a Russian journalist and activist known for her opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. She was arrested in April 2022 for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, which Russian authorities claimed was “false information” under new military censorship laws. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, where she has faced harsh conditions, solitary confinement, and declining health, while international organizations continue to call for her release.
OVD-Info is a Russian human rights organization that monitors political persecution and provides legal support to detainees. It was founded in 2011 during mass protests against election fraud and has since become a key resource for tracking arrests, police brutality, and repression in Russia.
“Vkusno i Tochka” (“Tasty and That’s It”) is a Russian fast-food chain that replaced McDonald’s in Russia after the American company pulled out of the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.