On 10 October 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated journalist Denis Zagorye and the media project Ostry Ugol (“Sharp Corner”) as “foreign agents”, Russian independent media reported.
Denis Zagorye, who works for exiled media outlet The Barents Observer, was accused of spreading “fake news” about the Russian government, opposing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, participating in the creation of content for “foreign agents”, and collaborating with an organization designated as “undesirable” (banned) in Russia.
The Ostry Ugol media project was accused of disseminating “fake news” about Russian government decisions and policies, as well as what Russia claims is “fake news” aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian army. Ostry Ugol was additionally accused of opposing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as of disseminating content produced by other “foreign agents” and by “undesirable” organizations.
Initially adopted in 2012, Russia’s law on foreign agents has been revised several times over the past decade to include an ever-wider range of potential targets for state-sponsored discrimination. Currently, any organization, media or private individual can be designated as such simply by being declared to be “under foreign influence” by the Russian Ministry of Justice or because of receiving funds of any amount from abroad (or from an entity itself receiving foreign funds). “Foreign agents” are barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors and providing expertise on environmental issues, among multiple other restrictions.