Arrest of Ex-Kremlin Propagandist Remeslo in Russia

In March, Remeslo called the Kremlin chief Putin a thief, a war criminal, and an illegitimate president. Shortly afterward, he made further statements in which he lamented the political and economic failure into which Putin had led Russia with the war in Ukraine. With a view to the parliamentary election scheduled for September 20, Remeslo said Putin's political end was near and new times were about to dawn.

Psychiatric Admission and Video Footage

His statements were followed by an unexpected admission to a psychiatric clinic, from which he was later discharged. Shortly afterward, the arrest now took place. Russian media published a video showing the blogger lying on the ground and wearing only underwear. The circumstances of the arrest raise questions about the conduct of the security authorities.

Declining Approval for Putin

The case comes amid a phase of growing dissatisfaction among the Russian population. According to a survey by the state polling institute FOM, 66 percent of respondents recently rated the president's performance as good. Russian media also reported that Putin's approval ratings had fallen by five percentage points within a week — reportedly the steepest weekly decline since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine more than four years ago.

Many Russians are reportedly angered by the consequences of the war. These include fuel shortages following Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries, as well as the blocking of social networks and websites. Commentators pointed to growing dissatisfaction amid conditions of war and increasing repression.

Charge of Disinformation

Remeslo had described the Ukraine war as the cause of heavy losses. According to his account, the war had cost millions of people their lives and ruined the Russian economy. These and similar statements form the core of the charge against which Remeslo is now being investigated.

Legally, the blogger in Russia is under pressure from laws that criminalize criticism of the army and of the actions of the authorities. With the charge of spreading false information about the Russian army, the investigators are employing an instrument that has repeatedly been used against critics and journalists in the past.

Outlook Ahead of the Parliamentary Election

The arrest comes against the backdrop of preparations for the parliamentary election on September 20. In Russia, the parliament is referred to as the State Duma. Observers interpret the developments surrounding Remeslo as a signal to other critics and to the critical blogosphere in the weeks before the vote.

At the same time, the picture of a nervous mood in the Kremlin ahead of the election is solidifying. Remeslo himself had said, with a view to September 20, that Putin faced political ruin and new times were breaking in the country — a statement that remains remarkable in the context of looming repression.

Lawyer Badamshin announced that he would continue to represent his client's interests in further proceedings. Details regarding detention conditions or a possible date were not initially known. It is also unclear when exactly Remeslo is to arrive in Moscow.

The case received international attention through the publication of the video showing the blogger on the ground. Independent verifications of the authenticity or origin of the material are pending. However, the images throw a spotlight on the circumstances under which critics in today's Russia come into conflict with the state.

Overall, the Remeslo case fits into a growing number of actions against bloggers, opposition figures, and media professionals. Human rights organizations have repeatedly pointed in the past to an intensification of repression, particularly since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine.

The State Duma is to be elected, with a date set for September 20. In the coming weeks, according to observers, the Kremlin is likely to further increase pressure on government-critical voices in order to secure the vote on its own terms.