In modern Russia, a disturbing trend has resurfaced, reviving echoes of the Soviet Union’s darkest days. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin’s clampdown on dissent has led to an upsurge of citizens turning on one another, much like the denunciations under Stalin. In today’s Russia, neighbors, colleagues, and even patients are informing on those perceived as disloyal to the state, accusing them of spreading “fake news” about the Russian army.
Take Anna Alexandrova, a 46-year-old hairdresser, currently on trial for allegedly spreading false information about the army through social media. Her accuser is none other than a former neighbor, Irina, with whom she had a personal dispute. What began as a quarrel over land escalated into a legal case under Russia’s harsh new wartime laws. If convicted, Anna faces up to 15 years in prison.
This phenomenon is not isolated. Reports of denunciations have multiplied since President Vladimir Putin signed laws prohibiting criticism of the war in Ukraine. Those convicted can face long prison sentences, reviving memories of Stalin-era purges, where fear and self-preservation turned everyday citizens into informers. Historian Nina Khrushcheva argues that Russia’s “genetic memory” of such repression has resurfaced, fostering a culture of fear and betrayal.
This environment is not limited to personal grievances. Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova, a 68-year-old pediatrician, is also on trial, accused of making anti-war statements to a patient’s mother. Her case, like Anna’s, reflects the perilous state of free speech in Russia. In another shocking incident, 87-year-old Dmitry Grinchy was physically assaulted on a Moscow bus after allegedly criticizing Russian mercenaries. These instances show that personal rivalries, political disagreements, and fear are driving a new wave of repression.
As Russia grapples with war abroad, its search for internal enemies is revealing deeper divisions within society. Despite the pervasive fear, there are still some voices of dissent, such as Dmitry, who survived Stalin’s terror, and those supporting the accused, demonstrating that not all are willing to succumb to the culture of denunciation.
This new wave of repression, combined with historical echoes of Soviet practices, is reshaping the moral and social fabric of Russia, raising critical questions about the nation’s future.