FSB Detains Prominent Anti-War Journalist in Yakutia for Alleged Terrorist Propaganda

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has apprehended prominent anti-war journalist Sasha Alexandrova on allegations of «terrorist propaganda,» as reported on Friday by media outlets in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), citing unnamed sources.

Alexandrova, who had previously contributed to several media organizations in Yakutia before establishing her own news platform, left Russia following the onset of the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

She made her return to her home region last year, where colleagues observed a noticeable shift in her anti-war messages, seemingly aimed at evading the Russian government’s increased suppression of dissent during wartime.

According to the news website Vesti Yakutia, FSB operatives detained Alexandrova on Thursday. She is facing charges related to publicly advocating for terrorism, justifying acts of terrorism, and disseminating terrorist propaganda.

The exiled news outlet Govorit NeMoskva, which reports on Russia’s regional developments, noted—without specifying sources—that Alexandrova has been placed in pre-trial custody.

Her arrest has not been officially verified, and there has been no immediate way to confirm the report.