Russia has sentenced prominent opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony. The 63-year-old Yabloko party leader was convicted over anti-war statements and posts about Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Yabloko is Russia’s only registered political party to have openly opposed the war in Ukraine. The Pskov court handed down the sentence on Monday (August 17). Prosecutors had sought 12 years and one month.&nbsp;<h2>Who is Lev Shlosberg?</h2>Lev Markovich Shlosberg is a veteran Russian opposition politician, journalist, historian and human-rights activist who is the deputy chairman of Yabloko. Born in Pskov on 30 July 1963, Shlosberg studied history at Pskov State Pedagogical Institute and graduated in 1985. He later studied at the Moscow School of Civic Education. He served in the Soviet Army from 1985 to 1987. After leaving the military, he worked as a teacher at a vocational school for juvenile offenders.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-boris-nadezhdin-putin-critic-arrested-before-russia-s-parliamentary-vote-1783996886804">Who is Boris Nadezhdin? Putin critic arrested before Russia's parliamentary vote</a>He joined Yabloko in 1994 and led its Pskov regional branch from 1996 to 2023. He also served in the Pskov Oblast Assembly of Deputies between 2011 and 2015, and again from 2016 to 2021.As a journalist, Shlosberg published and edited the regional newspaper Pskovskaya Guberniya, which reported on the deaths of Russian soldiers linked to the Donbas conflict in 2014. That reporting brought him threats and violence, and he was assaulted after the newspaper published the investigation.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-s-top-court-bans-only-registered-anti-war-party-ahead-of-key-elections-1786724121947/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-s-top-court-bans-only-registered-anti-war-party-ahead-of-key-elections-1786724121947/embed</a><h2>Why was Shlosberg jailed?</h2>Russian authorities accused Shlosberg of two offences: publicly discrediting Russia’s armed forces under Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code, and spreading false information about the military under Article 207.3.The case centred on his anti-war statements. Shlosberg took part in an online discussion in which he called for an end to the fighting in Ukraine, describing the war as a catastrophe for Russia and urging a ceasefire.He was also prosecuted over a Telegram post from February 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The post shared an Echo of Moscow link featuring a Daily Mirror front page depicting a bloodied woman alongside President Vladimir Putin.Shlosberg has rejected the accusations, calling the court proceedings politically motivated.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-was-semyon-skrepetsky-russian-dissident-artist-killed-poland-1781609134477">Who was Semyon Skrepetsky? Russian dissident artist shot dead in Poland</a><h2>Sentencing follows years of pressure on Shlosberg and comes amid wider crackdown</h2>Shlosberg was designated a “foreign agent” in 2023. In 2025, he was convicted of violating foreign-agent rules and ordered to complete 420 hours of compulsory labour. The latest sentence incorporated that earlier conviction.Yabloko said it would appeal. The party itself faces growing pressure and has been barred from the September 2026 parliamentary elections.Human-rights groups have condemned the prosecution. Memorial, the Russian human-rights organisation, recognises Shlosberg as a political prisoner.His case reflects the widening risks for Russian politicians, journalists and activists who publicly challenge the Kremlin’s position on the war in Ukraine.

Russian politician Lev Shlosberg has been sentenced to 11 years for anti-war statements. The Yabloko deputy chairman rejected the charges as politically motivated. Here is what you should know about him 

Russia has sentenced prominent opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony. The 63-year-old Yabloko party leader was convicted over anti-war statements and posts about Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Yabloko is Russia’s only registered political party to have openly opposed the war in Ukraine. The Pskov court handed down the sentence on Monday (August 17). Prosecutors had sought 12 years and one month. Who is Lev Shlosberg? Lev Markovich Shlosberg is a veteran Russian opposition politician, journalist, historian and human-rights activist who is the deputy chairman of Yabloko. Born in Pskov on 30 July 1963, Shlosberg studied history at Pskov State Pedagogical Institute and graduated in 1985. He later studied at the Moscow School of Civic Education. He served in the Soviet Army from 1985 to 1987. After leaving the military, he worked as a teacher at a vocational school for juvenile offenders. Also read: Who is Boris Nadezhdin? Putin critic arrested before Russia's parliamentary vote He joined Yabloko in 1994 and led its Pskov regional branch from 1996 to 2023. He also served in the Pskov Oblast Assembly of Deputies between 2011 and 2015, and again from 2016 to 2021. As a journalist, Shlosberg published and edited the regional newspaper Pskovskaya Guberniya, which reported on the deaths of Russian soldiers linked to the Donbas conflict in 2014. That reporting brought him threats and violence, and he was assaulted after the newspaper published the investigation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-s-top-court-bans-only-registered-anti-war-party-ahead-of-key-elections-1786724121947/embed Why was Shlosberg jailed? Russian authorities accused Shlosberg of two offences: publicly discrediting Russia’s armed forces under Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code, and spreading false information about the military under Article 207.3. The case centred on his anti-war statements. Shlosberg took part in an online discussion in which he called for an end to the fighting in Ukraine, describing the war as a catastrophe for Russia and urging a ceasefire. He was also prosecuted over a Telegram post from February 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The post shared an Echo of Moscow link featuring a Daily Mirror front page depicting a bloodied woman alongside President Vladimir Putin. Shlosberg has rejected the accusations, calling the court proceedings politically motivated. Also read: Who was Semyon Skrepetsky? Russian dissident artist shot dead in Poland Sentencing follows years of pressure on Shlosberg and comes amid wider crackdown Shlosberg was designated a “foreign agent” in 2023. In 2025, he was convicted of violating foreign-agent rules and ordered to complete 420 hours of compulsory labour. The latest sentence incorporated that earlier conviction. Yabloko said it would appeal. The party itself faces growing pressure and has been barred from the September 2026 parliamentary elections. Human-rights groups have condemned the prosecution. Memorial, the Russian human-rights organisation, recognises Shlosberg as a political prisoner. His case reflects the widening risks for Russian politicians, journalists and activists who publicly challenge the Kremlin’s position on the war in Ukraine.

Russian politician Lev Shlosberg has been sentenced to 11 years for anti-war statements. The Yabloko deputy chairman rejected the charges as politically motivated. Here is what you should know about him&nbsp;

Russia’s prominent anti-war politician jailed for 11 years: Who is Lev Shlosberg? What was his crime?

Opposition leaders in Russia are failing to unite against President Vladimir Putin. According to a report by the Financial Times on Saturday (June 10), opposition leaders gathered in Brussels to plot a path back to democracy, with Putin's main rivals in jail or exiled and squabbling about how to move forward.

Opposition leaders in Russia are failing to unite against President Vladimir Putin. According to a report by the Financial Times on Saturday (June 10), opposition leaders gathered in Brussels to plot a path back to democracy, with Putin's main rivals in jail or exiled and squabbling about how to move forward. But rather than uniting Russia’s liberals, Moscow's invasion of Ukraine deepened existing rifts and added new controversies. Andrius Kubilius, a Lithuanian politician and a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), who invited Russian opposition leaders to the European Parliament, said, "They have these infights, and maybe it will take some time. It would be good if they were able to show more unity around some kind of strategy." The report said that though the European Union (EU) hoped to bring the Russian opposition together, the splits were yet again on display when followers of jailed anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, refused to take part in parliament's event. Leonid Volkov, Navalny’s longtime chief of staff, said that Navalny's anti-corruption foundation declined invitations to the event for fear of being “in the same boat” with rival opposition activists who did not share their views. Senior officials of the EU who were part of the event sought to cajole the opposition into crafting a cogent plan for democracy and rallying Russians against the Ukraine war. “We want to work with Russia, but a different Russia,” said Michael Siebert, Eastern Europe and Central Asia director for the EU diplomatic service. However, the opposition remains divided on how to achieve that different Russia and who would lead it. Navalny's group blamed for perpetuating conflict situations Exiled Russian businessman and opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky blamed Navalny's foundation for perpetuating conflict situations, the Financial Times report said. "In their minds, there can only be the leader. It doesn’t fit [in] their worldview that you can have lots of leaders — that this room is full of them," Khodorkovsky said, adding the war in Ukraine put Navalny’s team on an equal footing with the rest of the opposition. “I have nothing against impotency. Wanting to work with people who are in Russia is great. But we can see from [the small pro-Navalny rally] that they can’t do it under a totalitarian regime either,” the opposition activist added. Navalny has been in jail since 2021, and anyone who associates with his group against the war faces potential arrest. This has made it difficult for his group to stage rallies. Vladimir Milov, who informally advises Navalny but is not part of the foundation, said that “they have this huge, political capital, developed with blood, sweat, and tears” and the prospect of being just one of many opposition groups was simply not appealing to them, the report also said. Meanwhile, Oleksiy Arestovich, a former senior Ukrainian official implored the parliament event's attendees to patch up their differences. Arestovich said that he talks a lot to the Russian opposition, adding every second sentence starts with a complaint about other members (of the opposition). “If you have a common goal, like an open, democratic Russia, that should be enough of a basis to work together,” Arestovich said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian opposition leaders meet in Brussels, fail to unite against Putin. Here's why

He is 44, he is popular, he has support abroad, his poisoning made him a household name, his dramatic arrested heightened his profile. But who exactly is Alexei Navalny.

Gravitas: The story of Alexei Navalny

As Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is put behind bars. What is the future of Russia's opposition? WION's Palki Sharma tells you how it's becoming a dying species.

Gravitas: What is the future of Russian Opposition?

Alexei Navalny is posing the biggest challenge to Putin's Presidency. He has survived an attempted poisoning, exposed corruption and is now steering the biggest movement in Russia's recent history. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you how Navalny outmaneuvered Putin.

Gravitas: How Navalny became the face of Russian opposition

Kremlin critic and blogger Yegor Zhukov, 22, was seriously injured in an attack in Moscow, his spokesperson said Monday.

Russian opposition activist hospitalised after attack outside his home

Thousands of Russians took to the streets of central Moscow on Saturday (August 31) to demand free elections to the capital's city legislature on Sept. 8, defying a ban which has been enforced with violent detentions during previous protests.

Russian opposition marches in central Moscow

Russia's opposition was set to hold a<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-detain-more-than-400-at-protest-over-journalist-226611&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwif-s-0iK3kAhV17XMBHSJDBmAQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dvePUbulkrYKjAfca9j4F"> new protest march in central Moscow </a>on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital.

Demonstrations have been held on an almost weekly basis since July after authorities denied most opposition candidates registration in the elections for the city parliament next Sunday.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/tears-fear-as-russian-students-jailed-over-opposition-protests-244945&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjD-IjLiK3kAhVRH48KHfF1B6IQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0yyfdrr_dxeCT9mXURovxH">Moscow prosecutors warned that the latest rally</a>, called by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 2 pm (1100 GMT) on part of the city's Boulevard Ring, was not authorised and participants would "bear responsibility."

On social networks, Muscovites shared a photo of water cannons allegedly stationed along the route of the protest, dubbed the "March against political repressions."

Opposition politicians had requested permission to hold the march but were turned down.&nbsp;

In the past, the Moscow polls have generated little public interest.

But this summer they have spiralled into the biggest political crisis since the wave of protests in 2011-2012 against Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin.

Authorities have launched a wide-ranging probe into "unrest" which could lead to long prison sentences for several suspects and made thousands of arrests.&nbsp;

Another probe has been launched against Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has produced numerous videos alleging massive graft among officials at City Hall run by Putin's ally, mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Many of the candidates were told the signatures they gathered to qualify were invalid, with Putin alleging they were "falsifications."

"Election committees found that their (signature) lists had... people who had died long ago," he said last week.

But opposition candidates, such as politician Ilya Yashin, hit back, accusing Putin of lying and appealed this week to Russian Supreme Court to have his candidacy reinstated.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Yashin was detained for the fifth time since July for violating rules on public gatherings.

Another candidate Lyubov Sobol, an associate of Navalny, was assaulted near her home Thursday.&nbsp;

According to OVD Info, an independent monitor of arrests and other politically-tinged persecution, police detained some 2,700 people at this summer's demonstrations.

Besides, there are multiple criminal cases against participants on charges such as "mass unrest" and "violence against police."

At least two couples who took their children to the protests have been threatened with losing parental rights.

Russia's opposition was set to hold a new protest march in central Moscow on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital.

Russia's opposition was set to hold a new protest march in central Moscow on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital. Demonstrations have been held on an almost weekly basis since July after authorities denied most opposition candidates registration in the elections for the city parliament next Sunday. Moscow prosecutors warned that the latest rally, called by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 2 pm (1100 GMT) on part of the city's Boulevard Ring, was not authorised and participants would "bear responsibility." On social networks, Muscovites shared a photo of water cannons allegedly stationed along the route of the protest, dubbed the "March against political repressions." Opposition politicians had requested permission to hold the march but were turned down. In the past, the Moscow polls have generated little public interest. But this summer they have spiralled into the biggest political crisis since the wave of protests in 2011-2012 against Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin. Authorities have launched a wide-ranging probe into "unrest" which could lead to long prison sentences for several suspects and made thousands of arrests. Another probe has been launched against Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has produced numerous videos alleging massive graft among officials at City Hall run by Putin's ally, mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Many of the candidates were told the signatures they gathered to qualify were invalid, with Putin alleging they were "falsifications." "Election committees found that their (signature) lists had... people who had died long ago," he said last week. But opposition candidates, such as politician Ilya Yashin, hit back, accusing Putin of lying and appealed this week to Russian Supreme Court to have his candidacy reinstated. On Wednesday, Yashin was detained for the fifth time since July for violating rules on public gatherings. Another candidate Lyubov Sobol, an associate of Navalny, was assaulted near her home Thursday. According to OVD Info, an independent monitor of arrests and other politically-tinged persecution, police detained some 2,700 people at this summer's demonstrations. Besides, there are multiple criminal cases against participants on charges such as "mass unrest" and "violence against police." At least two couples who took their children to the protests have been threatened with losing parental rights.

Russian opposition to hold new protest march despite ban

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