May 29, 2026

Teen Accused of LGBT Propaganda


Teen Accused of LGBT Propaganda
An empty classroom in Russia. The Russian Life file.

On May 22, independent outlet Mediazona reported that police had pressed charges against a thirteen-year-old boy for spreading "LGBT Propaganda" and exhibiting extremist symbols. According to the newspaper, his friends' parents reported him to the police.

The boy, whose name and location have been withheld to protect his identity, is known for his academic excellence. He took part in academic Olympics and won multiple prizes. He is now registered as a juvenile delinquent.

According to the child's lawyer, he showed a meme or a video to his friends or their parents, who later reported him to the police. His legal counsel said, "He wasn't trying to disseminate propaganda. He doesn't know what it is." The lawyer said the kid's hormones "activated" and he meant to show the image as a joke, but "the boy did not think of the consequences, and our legal system acted too quickly."

The age of criminal responsibility in Russia is 16, so the child is not facing prison time. However, the Juvenile Affairs Commission has deemed him eligible for "rehabilitation." Authorities are still evaluating whether to send him to a specialized school for juvenile offenders.

The lawyer told Mediazona, "Kids can connect to the internet, discover [something], and show it to an adult. And authorities consider this to be some form of propaganda." The mother of the boy confirmed the ongoing investigation against her son, but refused to give details because the information was "classified."

You Might Also Like

Debt is Dangerous
  • May 23, 2026

Debt is Dangerous

On the dangerous growth of Russia's debt collection agencies.
12 Years for Hating War
  • May 26, 2026

12 Years for Hating War

Anna Arkhipova has been sentenced to 12 years for hating war and saying so publicly.
Feeling the Burn
  • May 19, 2026

Feeling the Burn

Spring burns of Russian fields are both common and tragic.
A Presidential Rideshare
  • May 21, 2026

A Presidential Rideshare

  After Victory Day, President Putin made time to take a PR spin with an old teacher.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955