U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 14 Days in Russian Jail for Pro-Ukraine Statement on Phone

A court in the Pskov region of northwestern Russia has sentenced a U.S. national to 14 days in jail for allegedly posting pro-Ukrainian messages on his mobile device, regional media outlets reported on Monday.

Alexander Antonov, who also possesses Russian and Ukrainian citizenship, is said to have inscribed the phrase «Slava Ukraini» («Glory to Ukraine») on his phone, according to the exiled news source Pskovskaya Gubernia. It remains unclear if this statement was private or publicly visible.

In January 2024, Russia’s Ministry of Justice classified the phrase as one of many Nazi symbols and slogans. Russian legislation prescribes a penalty of up to 15 days in jail for the public display or promotion of such Nazi references.

Pskovskaya Gubernia reported that Russian border officials discovered the controversial phrase while inspecting Antonov’s phone at the border crossing between Estonia and the Pskov region, but did not clarify whether he was entering or exiting Russia.

The news outlet, without disclosing its source, stated that the Pechora District Court ordered the confiscation of Antonov’s phone, in addition to the 14-day imprisonment.

The Moscow Times was unable to locate Antonov’s administrative case on the court’s official website, and it remains uncertain when the phone examination occurred and when his legal proceedings took place.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, authorities have imposed thousands of fines and jail sentences on individuals for publicly opposing the war or expressing support for Ukraine.