On 27 December 2023, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated Helpdesk Media, a project linking news and psychological assistance in the context of the war in Ukraine, as an “undesirable organization” in Russia. As such, any form of collaboration with Helpdesk Media has become a criminally repressed offence in Russia, with the full list of punishable acts including republishing of Helpdesk Media content on social media. The Ministry of Justice did not provide an explanation for the reason behind the decision.
Commenting on the announcement on Instagram, HelpDesk Media said Russia’s laws on “undesirable organizations” were “one of the most effective measures [available] against those who stand against the horror created by the Russian state” in Ukraine. The outlet reminded that anyone who publicly supports Helpdesk or donates to it now risks receiving a prison sentence, while anyone who reposts its content could be fined, or jailed if their action is repeated. While the outlet decided to continue its operations, it imposed a block on all donations in rubles as a result of the designation.
Helpdesk Media was founded by Ilya Krasilshchik, a Russian media manager and former publisher of major independent media outlet Meduza, several months after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.