Sergey Kovalchenko

Affiliated media: Vot Tak, Journalist

Incident date: October 8, 2025

Attack type:

• Fine for non-compliance with the «foreign agents» law in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: MMDC

Location: Russia, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg

Additional information:

The Frunzensky District Court in St Petersburg has fined journalist Sergei Kovalchenko, of the outlet Vot Tak and former editor-in-chief of MR7, 110,000 roubles. He was found guilty of “violating the regulations governing the activities of a foreign agent” (Part 1, Article 19.34 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences). In April 2025, a criminal case was opened against Kovalchenko under Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for “evading the obligations of a foreign agent.” He was added to the register of foreign agents in 2023 and has been living outside Russia since September 2022.