This designation underscores the importance of UWEC’s work in identifying and analyzing the environmental consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Here, we explain what you need to know and recommend that our readers in Russia take precautions.
On August 25, 2026, Russia’s Prosecutor General designated UWEC Work Group and 14 other organizations as “undesirable,” a decision that was made public on September 10, 2026. This means that, in the opinion of the Russian government, the activities of our group “pose a threat to the country’s security, defense capabilities, or constitutional order.” Such “undesirable” organizations are prohibited from conducting activities in the Russian Federation, and Russian citizens may face administrative and even criminal liability for collaborating with them.
The Russian government classifies independent media, political, human rights, religious, educational, research and other projects as “undesirable” simply for carrying out their legitimate activities if, in the government’s view, these activities “threaten Russia’s constitutional order, defense capability, or security.” Any activity by these organizations in Russia is rendered impossible, and any collaboration with them becomes unsafe.
As of September 14, the list of “undesirables” includes 415 organizations from a whole range of countries around the world, ranging from Yale University to the Heinrich Böll Foundation. On the same day as UWEC Work Group’s designation, well-known human rights and anti-war organizations were also added to the list of “undesirable” entities, including the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and the German human rights foundation – Förderstiftung Amnesty International.
Environmental organizations with long-time programs focused on Russia have also been added to this list previously, including Greenpeace Russia, World Wildlife Fund, Pacific Environment, The Altai Project and Bellona.
Read more:
In effect, blocking the work of Russia’s major environmental organizations has paved the way for the systematic dismantling of the country’s environmental legislation and the illegal privatization of natural areas. The conditions under which domestic environmental organizations operate within Russia have deteriorated significantly.
Read more:
- Gas intrigues: Pipelines, nature reserves, NGOs and the war
- Review: “Russian civil society under repression”
About a year ago, the Russian government blocked UWEC Work Group’s website, a move that posed little problem for that country’s readers, where it is now common practice for people to use virtual private networks (VPNs) as a workaround.
How do Russian authorities persecute people for collaborating with “undesirable organizations”?
A 2025 review of pressure on the media published by the Center for the Defense of Media Rights, identified 57 administrative law cases related to “undesirable media outlets.” In 25 cases, individuals were fined for sharing links to articles; in nine cases, experts were fined for providing comment to “undesirable” media outlets; and in 23 cases, journalists were fined for collaborating with “undesirable” media.
Seven criminal cases were also filed against founders, editors and leading journalists of “undesirable” media outlets. Although Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides punishment for financing an “undesirable organization,” no cases in publicly available sources from 2023 to 2026 could be found where legal proceedings were initiated specifically for a donation (money transfer) made by an ordinary reader to an “undesirable” media outlet.
UWEC Work Group recommends that our readers and supporters in Russia read OVD-Info’s detailed guide on dealing with “undesirable” organizations, which was updated in August 2026. Below, we have compiled the most important information that you—our supporters, authors and readers—should know.
Once an organization is designated as “undesirable,” Russian law prohibits participation in its activities—this prohibition applies to Russian citizens both within the country and abroad, to stateless persons, and to Russian legal entities.
Administrative liability under Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (a fine ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles) may be imposed for:
- participating in events organized by a legal entity recognized as “undesirable,” such as interviews, conferences, seminars and roundtables; and inviting others to participate in such events;
- distributing materials from an “undesirable” organization;
- reposting social media posts;
- linking to the website, social media accounts or other materials belonging to an “undesirable organization” on third-party websites, social media or in individual publications; and
- citing or linking to materials from “undesirable” organizations in academic writing;
Individuals may face criminal liability under Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (up to six years of imprisonment) if in the event that:
- charges against them are filed under Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for the second time within a year;
- they financed or raised funds for “undesirable” activities; or
- they organized the activities of an “undesirable organization”—for example, by leading it.
Beginning in 2022, actions by Russian citizens committed outside Russia also became punishable offenses.
According to legal experts, if a text is published on the website of an “undesirable” organization before that organization is added to the registry of “undesirable organizations,” its authors do not currently face the threat of prosecution. Publication prior to a decision to include the organization on the registry is not considered a violation because the organization’s activities were not prohibited in the Russian Federation.
However, the same articles copied onto personal websites or social media pose a risk to Russian citizens and organizations. In cases involving reposts and links to materials from “undesirable” organizations, law enforcement agencies may retroactively enforce the law. This means that if material was published before the decision on “undesirability” was made but has not been removed, administrative liability may apply—even for a post or link from five years ago. Russian prosecutorial logic is as follows: if the content is publicly accessible, the offense continues. Russian citizens located outside Russia may also be held liable. If you have concerns, it is best to delete reposts and links wherever possible.
At present, there is no penalty for Russians to:
- visit our website and review our materials;
- comment (though not all comments are considered legal, as lawyers note);
- follow UWEC Work Group on social media;
- mention the organization’s name (without links or quotes); or
- forward materials from “undesirable organizations” in private messages.
This designation of UWEC Work Group as an “undesirable organization” demonstrates that our views are not welcomed by the Russian government, who are using every available tool to suppress information and silence us. However, this also means that the work we do is meaningful and that our assessments of the consequences of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine —consequences that also extend to other countries, including Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, the Baltic states, and other European Union countries—are likely accurate.
We will continue our work, but to do so, we urgently need your support. If you are able and are not located in Russia or Belarus, please support UWEC with a one-time or monthly donation.
