Russia has added the band Pussy Riot to its list of terrorists and extremists
Russian authorities have added the feminist punk band Pussy Riot to the national list of terrorists and extremists. The relevant changes have been published on the website of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of the Russian Federation.
This was reported by Russian propaganda media.
The addition to the registry was preceded by a recent large-scale protest by the group in Venice. In early May 2026, together with Femen activists, they condemned the war against Ukraine near the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Russian authorities have already sentenced key members of the movement to record prison terms under the article on “discrediting the army.”
Maria Alyokhina was sentenced in absentia to 13 years in a penal colony,
Tasha Pletner to 11 years,
and Olga Borisova, Diana Burkot, and Alina Petrova to eight years each.
Co-founder Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is on trial for a malicious violation of the “foreign agent” law. Currently, all the activists are in exile and continue their anti-war activities in Europe and the U.S.
Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk rock band formed in 2011, known for its provocative unauthorized performances directed against the Russian government, specifically Vladimir Putin, and in defense of human rights.
Pussy Riot’s most high-profile action was an unauthorized performance on February 21, 2012 (which the band called the “punk prayer ‘Mother of God, Drive Putin Away!’”) in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, during which the band members partially performed their song with opposition lyrics. In connection with this action, on March 3, 2012, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were arrested on charges of hooliganism, and on March 16, Yekaterina Samutsevich was arrested.
Previously, Pussy Riot and FEMEN stormed the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Ukrainian cinematographer and military serviceman Yuriy Gruzinov visited the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale carrying a red notebook with the inscription “List of Assholes 2026.”
The European Commission has once again called on the Venice Biennale to bar Russia from participating.
The Venice Biennale changed its award format following the resignation of the international jury.
