Human Rights Report in the Republic of Buryatia for September 2025

Petr Dondukov

September 2025

Summary

This report analyzes the human rights situation in the Republic of Buryatia for September 2025. The overall situation is consistent with the federal trend of narrowing civic space and strengthening state control. Key findings include tightened enforcement of military service: on September 10, a large-scale preventive raid was conducted to identify foreign citizens and those evading military registration, and on September 22, a raid on a local organization was conducted, distributing summonses. Media freedom has seen a sharp deterioration: the Supreme Court of Buryatia upheld the seven-year prison sentence in absentia against journalist Evgenia Baltatarova for disseminating “fake news” about the Russian army. The court also extended the house arrest of state institution head Urbanov under the serious charge of “sabotage” (Article 281 of the Russian Criminal Code). Other cases were also recorded: actions by law enforcement agencies and a case of illegal fishing of Baikal omul.

Introduction

This report presents significant events and alleged human rights violations that occurred in the Republic of Buryatia in September 2025. The document was prepared using the methodology of independent ombudsman reports and is based on open sources: regional media, official law enforcement reports, court databases, Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) initiatives, and the “Go to the Forest” Telegram channel (https://notes.citeam.org/mobi-sept-21-23-2025). The objective is to identify problem areas in the areas of civil liberties, fair trial guarantees, freedom of expression, and the general state of human rights, comparing them with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and international standards. Particular attention is paid to searching the OVD-Info archive, which did not yield a single case from Buryatia for September 2025. This may indicate underreporting, intimidation, or a change in the nature of repression. The report is based on available data, taking this information gap into account.

Mobilization and Coercive Military Service

September 10, 2025, Ulan-Ude: Military investigative bodies conducted a large-scale preventative raid to identify foreign citizens and individuals evading military registration. Passports, residence permits, and military registration status were checked, with particular attention paid to new Russian citizens who had not registered for military service. The official justification is to prevent the illegal stay of foreigners and identify those evading military registration (Federal Law No. 53 “On Military Duty and Military Service”). Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 rubles, detention, or deportation. This indicates tightened controls over migration and military registration (https://notes.citeam.org/mobi-sept-21-23-2025).

September 22, 2025, Republic of Buryatia: The military registration and enlistment office and police raided a local organization, handing out summonses to employees for a “registration check.” Men who reported to the military registration and enlistment office were questioned about their marital status, address, children, and driver’s licenses, and then released. According to the Telegram channel “Go to the Forest,” this created an atmosphere of intimidation, especially in light of the proposed bill to revoke acquired citizenship for evading military service (https://notes.citeam.org/mobi-sept-21-23-2025).

Persecution of Journalists and Activists

Yevgenia Baltatarova: On September 23, 2025, the Supreme Court of Buryatia upheld the in absentia sentence of journalist Yevgenia Baltatarova – seven years in prison for spreading “fake news” about the Russian army (Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code) and failing to fulfill her duties as a “foreign agent” (Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). Baltatarova left Russia in 2022 after being persecuted for her reporting on the bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol and the murders in Bucha. She was added to the “foreign agent” registry, and after threats of deportation from Kazakhstan, she fled to France. The court’s September 2025 decision finally confirmed the sentence, underscoring the grave consequences for independent journalists covering the war in Ukraine (https://baikal-journal.ru/2025/09/23/zhurnalistke-iz-buryatii-utverdili-prigovor-sem-let-zaochno/).

Politically Motivated and High-Profile Criminal Cases

Urbanov (head of the State Defense Committee): Charged with two counts of “sabotage” (Article 281, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) – arson of communications facilities and a car. On September 24, 2025, the Sovetsky District Court of Ulan-Ude extended his house arrest until November 30, 2025, rejecting the defense’s arguments of mitigating circumstances. The case is ongoing (https://sovetsky.bur.sudrf.ru/).

Galsan Dareev (former Minister of Agriculture of Buryatia): Accused of abuse of office (Article 286, Part 2 and Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and bribery with extortion (Article 290, Part 5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). On September 8, 2025, the court extended his detention in pretrial detention until September 30, 2025, refusing to transfer him to house arrest due to health reasons (https://www.baikal-daily.ru/news/19/506131/).

Chingis Tsyrenzhapov (Head of the Yeravninsky District): Accused of embezzlement of funds allocated for the construction of a school. In late September 2025, he announced his intention to go to prison.

Two minors: A criminal case has been opened in Ulan-Ude under Article 281, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code (“sabotage”) against two teenagers. One of them has been remanded in custody until November 30, 2025 (https://ulanude.bezformata.com/listnews/ude-ostavili-v-sizo/151270217/).

Environmental Violations

September 23, Selenginsky District: During Operation Putin-2025, a driver was detained for transporting an aluminum container containing illegally caught Baikal omul. A complete ban on fishing in the Selenga River basin is in effect from August 15 to November 15. Thirty-seven omul (18 kg) were seized, with damages amounting to 269,000 rubles. (https://kiren.bezformata.com/daynews/?nday=28&nmonth=9&nyear=2025).

Incidents Affecting Vulnerable Groups

September 9-10, Ulan-Ude: Three to four migrants died when scaffolding collapsed at the National Museum construction site. An investigation is underway.
September 10, Ulan-Ude: Military investigative bodies conducted a raid to identify foreign citizens and new Russian citizens who had not registered for military service.
September 22, Republic of Buryatia: The military registration and enlistment office and police conducted a raid distributing summonses to “verify registration data” amid a proposed bill to revoke citizenship for evading military service.
Undated (reported October 24), Ulan-Ude: Two teenagers are charged with sabotage (Article 281 of the Russian Criminal Code); one is remanded in custody until November 30, 2025 (https://ulanude.bezformata.com/listnews/ude-ostavili-v-sizo/151270217/).

Media Freedom and Civic Space Assessment

In September 2025, a harsh repressive atmosphere and censorship persist in Buryatia, resulting in a “frozen” effect on independent journalism and activism. The case of Evgeniya Baltatarova is illustrative: on September 23, 2025, the Supreme Court of Buryatia upheld her in absentia sentence of seven years in prison for “fakes” about the Russian army and failure to fulfill her duties as a “foreign agent” (https://baikal-journal.ru/2025/09/23/zhurnalistke-iz-buryatii-utverdili-prigovor-sem-let-zaochno/).

This creates a powerful deterrent effect on anyone willing to criticize the official position on the war in Ukraine and suppresses freedom of expression (Article 19 of the ICCPR, Article 29 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation). No other specific cases of pressure on media, blocking by Roskomnadzor, or new criminal cases against activists were identified in September 2025. However, this is most likely the result of effective censorship and self-censorship, rather than freedom. The civic space is primarily occupied by government initiatives: for example, the United Russia Women’s Movement seminar on patriotic education (https://er.ru/activity/news/zhenskoe-dvizhenie-edinoj-rossii-organizovalo-vyezdnoj-seminar-v-buryatii) and the “Point of Support” project for families of SVO participants.

Assessment of detention conditions and fair trial guarantees

As of September 2025, questions remain regarding medical care in pretrial detention centers and compliance with procedural guarantees during mobilization activities in Buryatia. An example is the case of Galsan Dareyev: on September 8, 2025, the court extended his detention in the pretrial detention center, refusing to transfer him to house arrest due to health reasons (https://www.baikal-daily.ru/news/19/506131/).

This raises doubts about the adequacy of medical conditions and the right to humane treatment (Article 10 of the ICCPR). Mobilization raids accompanied by a police presence create an atmosphere of coercion and may violate the right to liberty and security of person (Article 9 of the ICCPR) and privacy (Article 17 of the ICCPR).

Analysis of Applicable Legal Standards

All recorded cases are assessed from the perspective of international law (ICCPR, Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Freedom of expression (Article 19 of the ICCPR, Article 29 of the Constitution), the right to liberty and security of person (Article 9 of the ICCPR), privacy (Article 17 of the ICCPR), a fair trial (Article 14 of the ICCPR), humane treatment (Article 10 of the ICCPR), and non-discrimination (Article 26 of the ICCPR) are guaranteed. The Russian authorities cite domestic laws (Federal Law No. 53, Articles 207.3, 281, and 280.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), but their compliance with international obligations raises serious questions due to their vague wording and widespread use for political repression.

The All-Russian Context

The events in Buryatia are part of nationwide trends: tightening mobilization, the adoption of a bill revoking citizenship for evading military service (https://notes.citeam.org/mobi-sept-21-23-2025), the introduction of electronic summonses, and the prosecution of journalists for “fakes” about the war. The use of serious criminal charges (such as “sabotage”) to pressure officials and opponents is part of a strategy of intimidation. Throughout Russia, there are cases of convicted individuals escaping punishment by going to the front, undermining the principle of equality before the law.

Conclusion

The human rights situation in Buryatia in September 2025 is characterized not by mass arrests, but by multi-layered state control. The main problems are increased mobilization, pressure on independent media, and the use of serious criminal charges with political overtones. The absence of cases in the OVD-Info database for this month is in itself indicative: repression may take less public forms, and fear suppresses reports of violations. Overall, the situation in Buryatia reflects a systemic human rights crisis in Russia, with a regional focus on mobilization. Continued independent monitoring is necessary.

Recommendations

To: Regional authorities and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Buryatia

Recommendation: Immediately cease the practice of mass raids on workplaces and document checks, similar to the raid on September 22, 2025, to verify military registration data. Any such actions must have a clear, publicly accessible legal basis and comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality.

Rationale: A raid involving the distribution of subpoenas and personal data collection constitutes a potentially arbitrary interference with the rights to liberty and privacy guaranteed by Articles 9 and 17 of the ICCPR and Articles 22, 23, and 25 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Using a police raid for an administrative procedure is disproportionate and creates an atmosphere of coercion. Less invasive methods (postal or electronic notifications) should be used for data verification to ensure compliance with both Russian and international law (https://notes.citeam.org/mobi-sept-21-23-2025).