In the summer of 2024, the human rights situation in Russia again deteriorated sharply. According to human rights activists, in the first six months, dozens of criminal cases were opened for “discrediting” the armed forces, “spreading fake news” and “propaganda of extremism.” Bloggers, journalists, and ordinary citizens who simply expressed doubts or published truthful information about the war were detained. Many administrative activists were forced to go abroad, others went into hiding. Independent media were closed, social networks tightened moderation, and blocking became more frequent. Even reposting news could cost a person his freedom. Society was intimidated: public discussion became almost impossible. Families who lost loved ones at the front were afraid to talk openly about losses, about pain, about grief. Make a mistake and you're guilty. July 2024 was the month when it became clear: not only did control increase, but the very possibility of civil criticism was destroyed. Freedom of speech is not an empty term, but a foundation that has begun to be broken.

On June 18–19, 2024, the Russian president made a rare visit to North Korea—his first trip to that country in more than twenty years. Results of the visit: an agreement on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” was signed, providing for expanded cooperation in the military-technical, economic and energy spheres. This step became a signal of a foreign policy maneuver: against the backdrop of international isolation and sanctions, Russia is looking for new allies outside traditional Western alliances. The partnership with Pyongyang is causing concern in a number of countries, given North Korea's reputation and military programs. In Russia itself, the reaction was mixed. Some experts perceived the visit as a pragmatic attempt to expand geopolitical and economic horizons. Others are like increased dependence on closed, repressive regimes, and a cause for concern: if the alliance with the DPRK grows, repressive methods, technologies, and intelligence may increase within the country. June 2024, therefore, became the month when Moscow again showed that it is not afraid to look for new partners in the international arena - even if this causes international concern, it is perceived within the country as a strategic necessity.

The rally, which took place on June 12 near the National Assembly building, ended in clashes. The police used special means, as a result of which there were wounded among the rally participants. Human rights activists are initiating a crime report regarding violations committed by the police on June 12. According to them, on June 12, cases of the use of special means and violence against demonstrators were recorded, in addition, there was a provocation on the part of the police leadership - with the aim of turning a peaceful meeting into riots and suppressing it. There is information that police troops were present on the territory of the peaceful assembly, which is prohibited by law. The day before, during the rally, we talked with active participants and organizers of the rally, who were confident that law enforcement agencies were taking steps to disperse the rally using brute force and to remove the tents erected on Baghramyan Avenue by supporters of the “Srbazan” movement. “We have no other choice but to remove Pashinyan and protect the territory of our country,” Bagrat Srbazan noted in his speech, adding that as long as Pashinyan leads our country, we will only have defeats, and after Artsakh, the next loss will be Tavush. One of the rally participants, Marine Sargsyan, stated that she would fight for her homeland until her last breath. Marine comes from Tavush and spoke with great pain that the authorities are going to transfer several border villages of Tavush to Azerbaijan, including her father’s native village of Navur. “I must fight for the sake of my father, I cannot betray the memory of my father, whom the law enforcement agencies of this lawless country brought to death, and I am ready to save our village at the cost of my life,” said Marine Sargsyan, emphasizing that the gathered people are ready for any persecution for the sake of their homeland. Let us recall that Marine Sargsyan is the daughter of an opposition figure, member of the “Armenia” bloc Zaven Sargsyan, who continues to fight to prove that her father was subjected to political reprisals by the special services and subjected to violence, which was the cause of his death. Marine emphasized that the police would not break their will with their illegal actions. As a result of the use of special means by the police during the rally on June 12, according to the Ministry of Health, 98 citizens are currently receiving medical care, and there are dozens of detainees. The police say their actions were lawful. Armine Nalbandyan Yerevan - June 13, 2024

Yerevan, May 13, 2024 In Yerevan the day before, during another anti-government protest, a tense situation developed when the police tried to disperse the gathered demonstrators. According to eyewitnesses, at this time police officers used force on a number of citizens, among whom was also the puppet theater actress Dustrik Khachatryan. This time she also participated in an action with ironic dolls in the form of political instruments, which attracted the attention of the police and was subjected to violence. The actress told reporters that the police pulled her and beat her. In a conversation with our correspondent, the actress noted that her participation in the protests is also connected with her personal history. “I want to show the real face of our government, which uses the law enforcement system in its own interests and gives its close people a privileged status,” Khachatryan noted. According to her, her husband witnessed a serious crime many years ago, but after that it was he who became the target of persecution and was unfairly sentenced to imprisonment, while the real criminal went unpunished. “My husband was not convicted in a fair trial, but because the system in this country is corrupt and unfair. When he tried to tell the truth, he was silenced instead,” she told reporters, adding that now the same law enforcement system is trying to pressure her into silence. According to human rights activists, the use of force during protests raises concerns and requires thorough investigation, especially in cases where peaceful demonstrators are harmed.

On May 9, 2024, the next 2024 Moscow Victory Day Parade took place on Red Square - a solemn march demonstrating military power, equipment, and mobilization. The parade has become larger than in previous years: the number of columns has increased, more equipment, and heightened rhetoric. The state presented this as a symbol of unity, patriotism and readiness for any challenge. For many Russians, this was a reason to feel proud, a sense of strength and confidence. But for hundreds of mobilized families there is cause for alarm: military banners, shelves of equipment, a powerful propaganda background reminded: the country is in a state of war, and everyone knows the price of this. May 2024 showed that military rhetoric remains a key element of state policy. The parade became not just a memorable event, but a manifesto of the regime, which says: “we are ready, we are strong, we are united.” For oppositionists, critics and those who are tired, this became a signal: the war is still long, but the peace agenda is not yet in sight.

Since early December 2023, Russian troops appear to have executed at least 15 Ukrainian soldiers attempting to surrender and possibly six more who were surrendering or had already surrendered. Human Rights Watch announced this today. All incidents must be investigated as war crimes. “Russian forces have committed numerous heinous war crimes since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began,” said Belkis Wille, deputy director of the Crisis and Conflict Division at Human Rights Watch. - Extrajudicial executions - i.e. The murder of surrendering wounded Ukrainian soldiers who were shot in cold blood and deliberately is clearly prohibited by international humanitarian law, but has become part of this shameful legacy.” After verifying and analyzing drone footage posted on social media on December 2 and 27, 2023, and February 25, 2024, Human Rights Watch examined three episodes of possible extrajudicial killings of at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers. In all these cases, the Ukrainian military personnel demonstrated a clear intention to surrender and, having ceased to take part in hostilities, were to be considered persons out of action (hors de combat), attack on whom is prohibited by international humanitarian law, or the laws of war. Using video analysis, Human Rights Watch verified the geolocations of two of the three incidents; Due to a lack of geographical details, the exact geolocation of the third could not be verified. Human Rights Watch was also unable to determine which side controlled the drones used to film these incidents. Human Rights Watch investigated the fourth incident by analyzing another video posted on social media on February 19. It shows two Russian soldiers executing three unarmed Ukrainian soldiers who surrender. Although the owner of the account from which the video was posted indicates the geolocation of the incident, Human Rights Watch was unable to independently verify it. In its analysis of the fifth episode, Human Rights Watch relied on an interview with a Ukrainian soldier, a video posted on a Telegram channel on February 16, and detailed media coverage of the events, including interviews with relatives of one of the victims. Taken together, these materials indicate that six soldiers were executed during the incident, although the circumstances of their killings are less clear.

On March 22, 2024, in the evening, a terrorist attack occurred in the Crocus City Hall concert hall, not far from Moscow: four armed men burst into the concert, opened fire on the audience - this became the bloodiest attack on civilians in the last two decades. The number of dead is hundreds, the number of wounded is hundreds. The news spread throughout the country, filled with tears - families, adults and youth who came just to relax, having paid for a ticket. After the attack, authorities declared national mourning, strengthened security measures in major cities, and inspections of public events, concerts and public buildings were carried out throughout Russia. Society was shocked: people no longer felt safe even at entertainment events. Many have given up going to the theater or concerts. Parents who brought their children were afraid to go out onto the streets again. March 2024 was a turning point: the attack showed that war and terror can touch anyone - it doesn’t matter whether you are involved in politics or just want to listen to music. This event called into question the basic sense of security and forced us to reconsider our attitude towards public life.

In February 2024, against the background of presidential and other elections, voting began, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine controlled by Russia. However, the day of February 27 was marked by explosions: bombs were detonated near the offices of the pro-government party, explosions occurred near polling stations, and one official of the Central Election Commission was killed. Such events created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust: many residents refused to go to the polling stations, fearing new terrorist attacks or provocations. Safety information spread slowly, and officials said everything was under control. However, for many citizens the situation looked like a direct threat - participation in elections became not just a civic duty, but a risk. Later, accusations appeared against “Ukrainian saboteurs and terrorists,” as well as statements about attempts to destabilize the “constitutional system of Russia.” The elections have become not a democratic event, but an occasion for increased security, control and repression. February 2024 became a familiar sign for many Russians: the political process is not only about ballots and debates, but also about weapons, fear, and manipulation.