Maria Ponomarenko, Nikita Tushkanov, Vladimir Rumyantsev, Mikhail Simonov and Maxim Lypkan became laureates of the Boris Nemtsov Prize, awarded since 2016 by the Nemtsov Foundation for "courage in upholding democratic rights and freedoms."
Pensioner Mikhail Simonov was sentenced to seven years in prison for two comments about the shelling of Mariupol and Kyiv. Journalist Maria Ponomarenko was sentenced to six years in prison for a post about the bombing of the drama theater in Mariupol. A stoker and a radio amateur from Vologda, Vladimir Rumyantsev, was sentenced to three years in prison for military fakes. History teacher Nikita Tushkanov received 5.5 years in prison because of a post about the explosion of the Crimean bridge. 18-year-old Maxim Lypkan is currently in a pre-trial detention center in the case of military "fakes" for an interview about the war and protests.
The Boris Nemtsov Foundation Prize, established in 2016, is awarded for "courage in upholding democratic rights and freedoms." Last year, it was presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “This year, the winners of the award are those who oppose the war. This time the Russians. It is known that in Russia, in general, any support for Ukraine or any statements against the war are criminalized, and people receive real terms. I understand that mass protest is always visible, and individual protest is invisible. But, nevertheless, it exists. And I think we should talk about it,” Zhanna Nemtsova said.