On 7 February 2023, Russian journalist Yuliya Starostina told independent TV Rain that an administrative offense case had been opened against her for alleged “discreditation” of the Russian army. Starostina said she did not know the reasons behind the decision. She added that she decided to temporarily cease her work as a volunteer helping Ukrainian refugees in Russia, and continue working only as a journalist.
Starostina faces a fine of up to 50,000 rubles if found guilty, according to article 20.3.3 of the Russian code of administrative offenses. Reports on the war in Ukraine not based on Russian government sources have been considered to constitute “discreditation” of the Russian army or to be “fake news” by Russian courts.
UPDATE: On 28 February 2023, a court in Moscow fined Starostina 50,000 rubles for so-called “discreditation” of the Russian armed forces.