Who is at risk traveling to Russia without preparation? Part Two

Who is at risk traveling to Russia without preparation? Part Two

Last week, we launched a series of posts about how to prepare for the Russian border. We already explained how people with ties to Ukraine can protect themselves. Today, the next high-risk group is up — people who donated to FBK.

➡️ How do I know if I am in the risk zone?

If you transferred any amount to FBK in rubles after August 5, 2021 and roughly until March 2022, assume that the security forces already know about it. And they consider it a crime punishable by up to 8 years in prison.

For those who donated to FBK in crypto or with a foreign card from abroad, the risks are somewhat lower, but you still need to be careful.

Donations made from February 12, 2026 onward fall not under an extremism charge, but under a terrorism article. And financing terrorism can carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment.

➡️ How can I protect myself?

Check your name in the Interior Ministry database. But remember: even if there is no criminal case right now, that does not guarantee safety. It may appear after you cross the border. That is what happened to entrepreneur Nikita Yefremov, who was detained at Sheremetyevo when he arrived from Turkey.

Consult human rights defenders BEFORE the trip. It may sound obvious, and still: weigh whether it is worth going to Russia at all. Talk to human rights defenders before buying a ticket.

Get a separate phone for trips to Russia. Security forces may gain access to your phone at the border. Yes, under the Constitution you have the right not to give passwords and not to testify against yourself. But in practice, access is beaten out of people with threats or violence. And refusal can also get you sent to administrative detention. It is safer to cross the Russian border with a backup phone — without traces of “forbidden” donations.

We will explain how to prepare a backup phone and who else it is dangerous for to travel to Russia in the next parts. And if you still have questions about the risks for people who donated to FBK, write to us on Telegram at @OvdInfoBot or by email at info@ovdinfo.org. We will help!

❗️ Sharing this post publicly may be unsafe because the Russian authorities have declared OVD-Info an extremist organization. But you can still read and like us!

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