The ministry also added 10 exiled opposition figures to a separate restrictive registry on 6 November 2026. Legal experts say those listed lose consular support abroad and cannot sell Russian property.
Russia’s Justice Ministry designated the opposition parties Peaceful Russia and Rassvet as “foreign agents” on 6 November. Neither party is officially registered. The ministry accused both of spreading false information about the government and discrediting Russia’s electoral system.
Rassvet founder Yekaterina Duntsova said the party had suspended inaugural meetings of regional branches until its challenge to the designation can be heard. Its Amur region branch announced its closure on Sunday because of its “foreign agent” status, saying legal restrictions barred it from holding new meetings or working in its usual format.
Rassvet denied receiving foreign funding, suggested the designation was illegal and said it reflected a government course toward banning opposition activity and parties. Duntsova was a presidential hopeful in 2024.
Peaceful Russia leader Ilya Yashin said his party refused to accept the designation and accused President Vladimir Putin and his administration of being “foreign agents.” Yashin, a former Moscow councilman and political prisoner, led exiled opposition figures who founded the party earlier in 2026 to unite the anti-war movement and eventually challenge Putin’s rule.
The ministry also added 10 exiled opposition figures to a different list of people subject to “temporary restrictive measures.” They include journalists Yury Dud and Alexander Nevzorov, politician Leonid Volkov and Dmitry Gudkov. Putin established the registry in August 2026; its first 12 opposition figures were listed on 23 October.
Legal experts cited by The Moscow Times said people on that list are denied consular support at Russian embassies abroad and barred from selling Russian property, among other restrictions.
Duntsova said Rassvet would survey all registered party members during the week of 9 November to help decide whether to continue seeking registration, remain an association designated a “foreign agent” or cease operations. The party is preparing its legal challenge to the designation.
Affected aircraft landed safely and searches found no explosive devices after the November 6 threats prompted diversions and security checks.
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The MT Velos Sapphire was taken to Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port for an investigation. Its manager said a missile strike was the suspected cause of the explosion.
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The public broadcaster replaced a scheduled Radio One program with music during the evacuation on 6 November; regular broadcasting later resumed.
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Update ·
The update adds Rassvet’s suspension of regional meetings, planned legal challenge and member survey, as well as the closure of its Amur branch.
