Yabloko Deputy Leader Jailed 7 Years for ‘War Fakes’

June 25, 2026 Maxim Kruglov. Yabloko_press / Telegram A judge in Moscow sentenced the deputy leader of the liberal Yabloko party to seven years in prison on Wednesday after finding him guilty of spreading "false" information about the Russian military. Maxim Kruglov, a former Moscow city councilman, was arrested in October over social media posts from April 2022 discussing civilian deaths following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. A judge at Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky Court found Kruglov guilty and handed down the seven-year sentence, according to the state-run RIA news agency. In court, Kruglov pleaded not guilty, arguing his posts were intended solely as a call to investigate allegations that the Russian military carried out a massacre of civilians in Bucha during the early days of the war. Kruglov is the latest in a series of Yabloko politicians to face criminal prosecution in recent years. Law enforcement authorities placed Lev Shlosberg, the head of the party's Pskov branch, under house arrest last summer. In December, a court fined party chair Nikolai Rybakov for publishing a photo of the late opposition activist Alexei Navalny on social media. Yabloko is one of Russia's oldest opposition parties, but it has been largely sidelined in recent decades, losing most of its influence and facing ongoing bureaucratic restrictions that prevent its candidates from running for office. AFP contributed reporting. Read more about: Yabloko , Court cases Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Shlosberg Charged With Spreading ‘Fakes’ About Russian Army The charge, the third brought against Lev Shlosberg this year, was announced three days before he was due to be released from house arrest. 1 Min read Opposition Politician Shlosberg Returned to House Arrest Pending ‘Discreditation’ Trial The Pskov City Court had ruled earlier this week to impose a ban on certain activities instead of continuing Lev Shlosberg’s house arrest. 2 Min read Moscow Court Orders Seizure of Yabloko Deputy Head’s Assets Pending ‘Army Fakes’ Trial Maxim Kruglov was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention earlier this month after he was accused of spreading false information about the Russian military... 1 Min read Shlosberg Placed Under House Arrest Pending Trial Authorities accuse the Pskov region opposition figure of repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian military under wartime censorship laws. 1 Min read