FSB opens criminal case against Khodorkovsky on terrorism charges
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened a criminal case against exiled businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, accusing him of creating a “terrorist organization” and of plotting to violently seize power. 22 members of the Russian Anti-War Committee have also been accused as part of the same case. According to investigators, the committee allegedly advocated for a change in government and collaborated with Ukrainian paramilitary groups recognized as terrorist organizations in Russia. The committee allegedly financed these groups and recruited supporters. The FSB’s action is in response to the adoption of the Berlin Declaration and the participation in creating the Platform of Russian Democratic Forces. Such actions are punishable by up to life imprisonment (TASS).
Intended effect: The article aims to demonize the opposition abroad and Khodorkovsky himself by portraying them as terrorists acting against Russia rather than as political opponents. The goal is to create a sense of threat among the audience and justify harsher measures against emigration and the opposition as a whole.
Family of Donbass native released from Hamas captivity intends to thank Putin personally
Natalia Kharkin, the mother of Maxim Kharkin, a Donbass native who was released from Hamas captivity, said that the family plans to travel to Moscow to thank Russian President Vladimir Putin in person, TASS reports. “We really want to see Vladimir Vladimirovich and thank him for everything he has done, because his help was crucial to Maxim’s survival,” she said, adding that the Russian consulate in Israel provided the prisoner’s family with active help and support during the negotiations and release (TASS).
Intended effect: The material portrays Russia as a humanitarian actor on the international stage, thereby reinforcing Putin’s image as a savior.
RIA Novosti: Robbing Russia will “wipe out” the European Union
In her article on RIA Novosti, Russian journalist Elena Karaeva claims that “Russophobia in Europe” manifests itself through ‘theft’ – the freezing and “seizure” of Russian assets belonging to Russia or Russians, allegedly under the pretext of sanctions. The author claims that Western leaders, including Macron, Merz, and Starmer, publicly reject such actions but are in fact “prepared to profit” at the expense of Russian money. The article warns that if Europe continues to “rob Russia,” it will lead to the “geopolitical catastrophic collapse” of the EU (ria.ru).
Intended effect: The article aims to portray Europe as an aggressor exploiting Russia’s financial vulnerability and to show the West as a revisionist, greedy, and dishonest partner. This reinforces the “us versus them” narrative, mobilizes the domestic audience, and justifies retaliatory economic measures, such as sanctions, counter-sanctions, and confiscations.
Pashinyan, Aliyev meet briefly at Egypt summit
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a brief conversation “on the fly” at the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, TASS reports. It was their third meeting in two weeks: previously, the leaders met in Dushanbe at the CIS Summit and in Copenhagen at the European Political Community Summit. The latest meeting gained additional resonance due to Donald Trump’s remark, who, addressing Aliyev, called Pashinyan his “compatriot,” causing confusion among journalists, according to RIA Novosti. The media later recalled that the U.S. president had previously confused Armenia with Albania. In August, with the mediation of the U.S., Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a declaration of intent to establish peace and open a new transport route (TASS, ria.ru).
Intended effect: The articles aim to demonstrate the progress of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan under seemingly neutral coverage, but the emphasis on Trump’s awkwardness and the frequency of meetings creates the impression among the audience that the negotiations are being controlled from the outside.
