Trial begins for banned group claiming USSR still exists

A district court in the Trans-Urals region will hear a criminal case on organizing the activities of an extremist organization against two residents of the town of Shumikha, the press service of the Investigative Department of the Russian Investigative Committee for Kurgan Region reports.

According to the investigation, the men organized the activity of a cell of an association in the region, which was recognized as extremist and liquidated by a decision of the Samara Regional Court back in 2022.

From 2022 to June 2025, the accused held meetings and online conferences, actively recruiting new participants into the activities of the banned structure.

The accused were detained in June 2025 during a joint operation by the Investigative Department, the FSB, the Center for Countering Extremism of the regional police department, and the Rosgvardiya (National Guard). Searches were conducted at the suspects« properties, and equipment and propaganda materials were seized.

According to sources of 45.RU, the case concerns the organization «Citizens of the USSR»* (an extremist organization, its activities are banned in the Russian Federation, liquidated in accordance with the decision of the Samara Regional Court of 16.06.2022). A transgender individual, a supporter of «LGBT»** (activities banned in the Russian Federation), was also detained alongside the accused. The fate of the latter has not been reported yet.

If the court finds the men guilty, they face up to eight years of imprisonment.

* An extremist organization banned in Russia, its activities are prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.

** An extremist movement, its activities are banned on the territory of the Russian Federation.