On 18 April 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated journalists Irina Babloyan and Vyacheslav Shiryayev as “foreign agents”, Russian media reported. The two journalists were accused of publishing content produced by other “foreign agents” and of opposing the war in Ukraine.
Babloyan is known for being a long-time anchor at Echo of Moscow, a radio station critical of the Kremlin which was disbanded by authorities soon after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following this, Babloyan left Russia, continuing her activities as an independent journalist.
Shiryayev is known for hosting programs focused on economics. Like Babloyan, he no longer lives in Russia.
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 also barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors and providing expertise on environmental issues, among other restrictions.