Russian citizen Elena Kolbasnikova, who organized rallies in Germany in support of Russia, will stand trial in Cologne on charges of war propaganda. According to DW, citing a representative of the court, the Russian woman is charged with the fact that in May 2022, during a pro-Russian demonstration, she approved the outbreak of war against Ukraine.
The trial will begin March 29. The maximum punishment that threatens Kolbasnikova is three years in prison. As noted by DW, it is more likely that the court will issue a fine.
On May 8, 2022, Kolbasnikova, together with Markus Beisicht, a former member of the ProNRW anti-immigrant party, delivered a speech to the participants of the motor rally in Cologne, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany. As stated in the conclusion of the prosecutor's office, Kolbasnikova stated that “Russia is not an aggressor. Russia is now helping to end the war in Ukraine.”
Kolbasnikova herself calls herself a victim of the "struggle for peace and truth." In September, she also organized a demonstration in Cologne "Against the war and the supply of arms to Ukraine." Currently, law enforcement agencies are conducting another investigation against the Russian woman due to the fact that she reposted on social networks a call for recruitment into the ranks of Wagner PMCs.
A native of the Ukrainian city of Dnepr, Kolbasnikova, together with her civil husband Maxim Shlund, participates in organizing pro-Russian actions in Germany and cooperates with local right-wing activists.