Russkaya Obshina Carried Out 900 Raids in Russia, Targeting LGBT Events and Migrants
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 15
Russkaya Obshina Carried Out 900 Raids in Russia, Targeting LGBT Events and Migrants
4 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 15
More than 900 raids by Russkaya Obshina from May 2023 to end-2025 were identified by a BBC investigation, with about 300 involving law enforcement despite the group lacking official patrol status.
Katya’s 30th birthday party in Arkhangelsk shows how the raids work: masked men stormed the nightclub hunting alleged LGBT “propaganda,” police joined in, and she was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to 200 hours of community service.
Analysis of 21,000 social-media posts found the nationalist vigilante group has become Russia’s most active street movement among more than 10 similar groups, frequently targeting migrants with racist language as well as nightclubs, hostels and abortion clinics.
The investigation also found evidence of support from Kremlin-linked charitable foundations and growing legitimacy from the Russian Orthodox Church, underscoring analysts’ view that the group’s rise aligns with Putin’s post-2022 drive for “traditional values.”
Is Russia's largest far-right group a grassroots movement or a Kremlin-sponsored paramilitary force for social control?
How do Western trade deals with Russian oligarchs fuel violent vigilante groups enforcing 'traditional values' on the streets?
From Vigilantism to State Alignment: The Growth and Societal Impact of Russkaya Obshchina in Russia (2020–2025)
Overview
Since late 2020, Russkaya Obshchina (RO) has emerged as a prominent far-right nationalist group in Russia, escalating its activities and drawing public scrutiny. The group became notorious after a deadly raid on a St. Petersburg apartment, which they claimed was in response to drug use complaints. During the incident, RO members entered the apartment, and a fire broke out, resulting in two deaths and one person critically injured. This event highlights RO’s pattern of violent actions and the growing concern over its aggressive tactics, as well as the complex relationship between the group and state authorities.