In a recent ruling, a Russian court sentenced Yevgeny Chichvarkin, a businessman and co-founder of the mobile phone retailer Yevroset, as well as journalist Ekaterina Kotrikadze, in absentia. The court found them guilty of publishing "false news" after Chichvarkin shared a statement via Instagram from the Russian Anti-War Committee condemning a Russian missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv. Chichvarkin's post urged support for medical needs for children affected by the ongoing conflict.

Yevgeny Chichvarkin has been living in the UK since December 2008 and has been active in the restaurant business while frequently criticizing the Kremlin and voicing strong opposition to the war in Ukraine through various Russian opposition media. His sentencing reflects the increasing crackdown on dissent and independent journalism within Russia, as more individuals face similar charges under the controversial "foreign agent" law.

In another case, journalist Kotrikadze, associated with the independent media outlet Dozdj, was also convicted of spreading false information regarding the Russian military. This trial and sentencing underscore the Russian government's intensified efforts to suppress dissenting voices and control the narrative surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, making it increasingly dangerous for journalists and businesspersons who choose to speak out against the regime.