On August 3 2023, Vecherniye Vedomosti, an independent online media based in the city of Yekaterinburg, said authorities were preparing to fine the outlet for alleged “discreditation” of the Russian armed forces. Vecherniye Vedomosti said its editor-in-chief Guzel Aitkulova had been summoned by police for August 9, in order to hand her an official document related to the fine. It was not immediately clear for what publications the outlet was being incriminated for, however Vecherniye Vedomosti speculated that the fine was an attempt to intimidate journalists following the publication of a recent article on alleged corruption in the local police force in Yekaterinburg. Journalists at the media outlet added that they had already been accused of “discrediting” the Russian army in the past, claiming that on the previous occasion, this also happened following the publication of a critical article. According to Vecherniye Vedomosti, the outlet was fined a total of 450 thousand rubles in 2022, which it said it was able to pay thanks to donations by readers.
Russia-Ukraine WarCensorship and regulationPublication ban, take-down order or forced deletion, fine, administrative action