Russia's political repression toll reaches 69 deaths
At least 69 people subjected to politically motivated persecution in Russia have died since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, according to a Memorial report published in October 2026.
Illness and torture among the main causes
The report attributes 29 deaths to illness and inadequate medical care, 20 to beatings, torture or their consequences, and 10 to suspected suicides or similar circumstances. The causes of eight other deaths remain unknown.
The document separately addresses a death following a hunger strike and the case of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, whose death Memorial considers a deliberate killing.
Deaths increased in 2026
Memorial recorded 26 deaths in 2024 and 13 in 2025. Another 16 deaths were documented in the first ten months of 2026.
The youngest victims were 18, while the oldest was 81, according to the report.
Detainees denied medical care
The report describes cases in which detainees repeatedly sought medical assistance but did not receive the treatment they needed. Among them was Vladimir Osipov, who requested hospitalisation because of serious heart problems but later died in pre-trial detention.
Another case involved scientist Dmitry Kolker, who had terminal cancer. He was taken from hospital into custody and died three days after his arrest, according to the source material.
Ukrainian citizens held in Russian captivity
The report also documents the deaths of Ukrainian citizens detained by Russian authorities. Among them was journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who was detained in 2023 while investigating detention facilities in occupied Ukrainian territories and died in September 2024.
An examination of her body after its return to Ukraine reportedly identified signs of violence. The report also mentions Ukrainian serviceman Oleksandr Ishchenko, whose body showed multiple injuries after his death in a Russian detention facility.
Memorial warns the actual toll may be higher
The organisation says the actual number of victims could be higher because information about people held by Russian authorities is difficult to obtain. Its report does not cover all Ukrainian civilians detained outside criminal proceedings, for whom information is even more limited.
Memorial attributes responsibility for the deaths to institutions involved in political persecution, including investigators, courts, prison administrations and the Russian authorities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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