Report on Human Rights Violations in the Republic of Buryatia

December 2025
Petr Dondukov
Prepared based on independent analysis of open sources

1. Introduction and General Climate

The human rights situation in the Republic of Buryatia during December 2025 was characterized by several severe incidents, even as publicly documented cases of politically motivated arrests for dissent were notably absent. The most significant event was a grave violation of the right to life, where a family of three died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Ulan-Ude on December 14 after their electricity was disconnected (https://ria.ru/20251217/burjatija-2062541495.html). Repression against independent media continued with the in-absentia sentencing of exiled Buryat journalist Anna Zueva on December 18 (https://ipi.media/alerts/anna-zueva-sentenced-to-6-years-in-absentia/). Furthermore, the month saw continued coercive military recruitment practices. While no specific arrests of Buryat activists were confirmed, a large-scale, coordinated FSB operation on December 17 targeting Indigenous leaders across Russia created a climate of intimidation relevant to the region.

2. Political Persecution and Risk of Torture

Name: Indigenous leaders and activists (Collective Case)
Description: A coordinated operation by the FSB targeting indigenous leaders and activists across Russia, including those linked to Buryatia.
Status in Dec 2025: Targeted in raids and interrogations in mid-December 2025.
Risk Assessment: High risk of criminal prosecution and potential torture to extract confessions or cooperation.
Legal Basis for Persecution: Justification of terrorism and extremism laws used to suppress indigenous rights movements.

3. Freedom of Speech and Censorship

Based on available public records and media reports, no confirmed new administrative prosecutions for speech or assembly-related offenses, such as ‘discrediting the armed forces’ (Article 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code), were identified in the Republic of Buryatia during December 2025. However, several unconfirmed leads were noted, including a ruling by the Eighth Cassation Court originating from Buryatia. In a notable positive development, on December 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of Buryatia overturned a fine that had been previously imposed on a journalist from ‘People of Baikal’.

4. Persecution of Journalists and Activists

Name: Anna Zueva
Role: Journalist
Status: Sentenced in absentia to 6 years in a penal colony on December 18, 2025 (https://ipi.media/alerts/anna-zueva-sentenced-to-6-years-in-absentia/).
Charges: Convicted in absentia on two criminal charges: 1. Publicly Justifying Terrorism (Article 205.2) for a report on a drone attack. 2. Failing to Comply with Foreign Agent Obligations (Article 330.1).
Summary of Case: On December 18, 2025, the 2nd Eastern District Military Court sentenced Anna Zueva to 6 years in prison in absentia. The charges stemmed from a video report about a drone attack, which authorities claimed justified terrorism. She was also convicted for failing to comply with foreign agent labeling requirements.

5. Indigenous and Minority Rights Violations

Violation Type: Legislative Encroachment on Ancestral Lands (Lake Baikal)
Description: On December 9, 2025, the State Duma passed amendments allowing clear-cut logging in the Central Ecological Zone of Lake Baikal for infrastructure projects (https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/01/09/nothing-is-sacred-for-the-authorities). This directly threatens the ancestral lands and environmental heritage of the Buryat people.

Impact on Community: The law removes protections for sacred lands and enables industrial exploitation, disregarding the cultural and environmental rights of the indigenous population.
Supporting Data: Federal Law signed in December 2025; effective March 2026.

6. Military Mobilization and Servicemember Rights

Violation Type: Coercive Recruitment and Exploitation
Description: Authorities continue to use coercive tactics to recruit soldiers, including offering contracts to criminal suspects to avoid prosecution.
Evidence: A 27-year-old civilian resident of Ulan-Ude, Nuralin Yusupov, was detained in December 2025 on suspicion of rape. Authorities offered him a deal to avoid criminal prosecution by signing a military contract to serve in Ukraine. This practice is enabled by an October 2024 law allowing prosecutions to be halted in exchange for military service. https://vk.com/wall576353632_5334
Systemic Impact: Disproportionate mobilization of Buryat men continues, with high casualty rates and social destabilization.

7. Treatment of Detainees and Prisoners

Name: Three unidentified teenagers held in pre-trial detention.
Location of Detention: Pre-trial detention center (SIZO), Ulan-Ude.
Incident Description: The three teenagers, suspected of ‘sabotage’, were subjected to degrading treatment by being used for a propaganda film ‘Payment for Sabotage’ (Rasplata za diversiyu). This film was mandatorily screened in schools across Buryatia. This constitutes psychological pressure and violates the presumption of innocence.
Date of Incident: December 2025
Context: Systemic abuse and use of detainees for state propaganda.

8. LGBTQ+ Community Persecution

While no specific high-profile arrests were publicly reported in Buryatia in December 2025, the climate remains extremely hostile following the ‘extremist’ designation of the international LGBT movement. Underground support networks report increased requests for evacuation, and the threat of raids on private gatherings persists.

9. New Repressive Legislation and Enforcement

Law or Policy: Amendments to the Law on Protection of Lake Baikal (Clearcut Logging)
Effective Date: Signed December 2025 (Effective March 2026)
Summary: The law permits clear-cutting of forests in the Central Ecological Zone of Lake Baikal for infrastructure expansion, weakening environmental protections (https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/01/09/nothing-is-sacred-for-the-authorities).
Enforcement Example in Buryatia: Immediate planning for infrastructure projects in protected zones, disregarding local opposition.

10. Official Narrative vs Independent Findings

Official sources focused on ‘patriotic’ events and routine administration, ignoring the CO poisoning tragedy’s systemic causes (https://iz.ru/en/node/2008704) and the sentencing of Anna Zueva. The Human Rights Commissioner’s office has been effectively co-opted, framing ‘human rights’ work as social protection for participants in the conflict rather than protection of citizens from state persecution.

11. Accountability and Key Institutional Actors

Actor Name: 2nd Eastern District Military Court
Actor Type: Judiciary
Role in System: Enforcing military censorship and repression.
Documented Activity Dec 2025: Sentenced journalist Anna Zueva to 6 years in absentia on Dec 18, 2025 (https://ipi.media/alerts/anna-zueva-sentenced-to-6-years-in-absentia/).

12. Other Violations

Violation Type: Right to Life / Systemic Negligence
Case Summary: A family’s electricity supply was disconnected on December 12, 2025, by ‘Energosbyt Buryatia’ due to unpaid bills. As their home relied solely on an electric boiler, they used a diesel generator and died from carbon monoxide poisoning on December 14 (https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/25933945).
Individuals or Groups Involved: Energosbyt Buryatia (Utility Company)
Status or Outcome: Criminal investigation initiated against utility officials.

13. Conclusion

In December 2025, the state institutions in the Republic of Buryatia failed to function as genuine accountability mechanisms. They operated as extensions of the state’s administrative apparatus, systematically ignoring political repression. The lack of transparency and performative accountability create profound structural barriers to redress, contributing to a climate of impunity.

List of Sources

Source: ria.ru
URL: https://ria.ru/20251217/burjatija-2062541495.html
Description: Source cited in original report.

Source: tass.ru
URL: https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/25933945
Description: Source cited in original report.

Source: ipi.media
URL: https://ipi.media/alerts/anna-zueva-sentenced-to-6-years-in-absentia/
Description: Details on the sentencing of Anna Zueva.

Source: iz.ru
URL: https://iz.ru/en/node/2008704
Description: Report on the carbon monoxide poisoning tragedy.

Source: meduza.io
URL: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/01/09/nothing-is-sacred-for-the-authorities
Description: Analysis of the new Baikal logging legislation.