Politics · Russia · 1 hr ago
Russian outlet seeks donations after 200,000-ruble fine
Russian news outlet Takie Dela was fined 200,000 rubles for publishing a quote from musician Boris Grebenshchikov without noting that Russia designated him a “foreign agent.”
The quote appeared on the outlet’s VKontakte page and came from a May 2026 interview with RTVI.
Takie Dela’s editors say they cannot add the required label for everyone with that designation in their social media posts.
The outlet says it has launched a campaign for recurring donations to help pay the fine.
Editor-in-chief Yevgenia Volunkova said the outlet’s budget is short by one million rubles and that it may not be able to pay salaries from January or February.
Takie Dela covers social problems in Russia and continues to work inside the country.
Its website was blocked in 2026, and a payment service stopped processing its donations in 2024.
Russian news outlet Takie Dela says it was fined 200,000 rubles for publishing a quote by musician Boris Grebenshchikov without identifying him as a “foreign agent.”
The outlet has asked readers for donations to help pay the fine and cover a budget shortfall.
Editor-in-chief Yevgenia Volunkova said the outlet was seeking at least 900,000 rubles in recurring donations.
She said the outlet’s budget was one million rubles short and it might be unable to pay salaries starting in January or February.
Takie Dela said its lawyer reported that the hearing lasted a minute and the judge did not listen to the defense’s arguments.
- Who
- Takie Dela, a Russian news outlet, was fined.
- What
- It was fined 200,000 rubles for publishing a quote by Boris Grebenshchikov without a “foreign agent” disclaimer. The outlet is asking readers for donations.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Russia; the quote was published on Takie Dela’s VKontakte page.
- Why
- The outlet published Grebenshchikov’s quote without mentioning that Russia had designated him a “foreign agent.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
T-Bank’s payment service stopped processing donations to Takie Dela.
Boris Grebenshchikov gave an interview to RTVI that included the quote later published by Takie Dela.
Takie Dela’s website was blocked.
Takie Dela was fined 200,000 rubles and launched an SOS campaign to raise donations.
- Fine
- 200,000 rubles
- Donation target
- At least 900,000 rubles in recurring donations
- Budget shortfall
- One million rubles
- Quote source
- Boris Grebenshchikov’s May 2026 interview with RTVI
- Social media platform
- VKontakte
What people are saying
Our lawyer said the hearing lasted a minute. The judge wouldn’t listen to the defense’s arguments.
Maybe 200,000 rubles seems like a small amount. But we don’t have it.