Daria Kozyreva, a 20-year-old woman in Russia, has been released from prison after being incarcerated for nearly three years due to her anti-war statements. She was arrested on February 24, the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after attaching a poem by the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko to a monument dedicated to him in St. Petersburg. Her actions were interpreted as 'discrediting' the Russian military, a charge that reflects the stringent laws applied to individuals expressing dissenting views in Russia.

In April 2025, a court sentenced Kozyreva to two years and eight months, after which she was made to serve her term in a correctional facility in the Ivanovo region. Her comments to the U.S.-funded outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) following her expulsion from St. Petersburg State University played a significant part in the authorities' accusations against her. The case raised considerable attention both domestically and internationally as it highlighted the repression faced by individuals opposing the government’s military actions.

Upon her release at 7 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Kozyreva was reportedly met by her mother, who took her from the prison site. This event has sparked discussions about state repression related to dissent against the war in Ukraine. Kozyreva's situation exemplifies the broader climate of fear and silencing of dissent in contemporary Russia, making her release a moment of cautious optimism for advocates of free speech and human rights in the country.