On 7 August 2026, Russia’s Investigative Committee reported that it had opened a criminal case against journalist Katerina Gordeeva over the alleged dissemination of “false information” about the Russian army.
According to Russian legislation, any news on the war in Ukraine not confirmed by Russian authorities, such as civilian casualties among the Ukrainian population, is automatically considered to be “false information”.
Investigators said Gordeeva’s case is linked to her Telegram channel which allegedly contained “knowingly false information” about the actions of Russian servicemen in Ukraine. The Investigative Committee did not specify which publications were at the centre of the case.
Russian authorities are considering putting Gordeeva on an international wanted list.
Gordeeva has lived outside Russia since 2014. In September 2022, Russia’s Justice Ministry designated her a “foreign agent”. In March 2026, a Moscow court fined her in an administrative case over alleged “LGBT propaganda”.