Russian authorities have officially labeled billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky and opposition leader Alexei Gudkov as terrorists and extremists, adding them to a government list of individuals deemed to be threats to national security. This move comes one month after the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced criminal charges against 23 members of the Russian Anti-War Committee, a group that has been vocal in its opposition to Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Khodorkovsky, a former oligarch who was imprisoned in 2003 for alleged tax evasion and money laundering, has long been a symbol of political dissent within Russia. His inclusion on the list underscores the government’s efforts to marginalize former business elites who have spoken out against the war. Gudkov, a journalist and political activist, has been a persistent critic of the war, with his anti-war stance making him a target of state pressure.
Analysts suggest that the designation of Khodorkovsky and Gudkov as extremists is part of a broader campaign to silence opposition voices and consolidate power within the Kremlin. The criminal charges against the Anti-War Committee members further illustrate the government’s approach to dissent, with those who challenge the war effort facing legal repercussions. These actions are seen as part of a strategy to maintain control over public discourse and suppress any form of resistance to the war.