On September 29, 2026, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case against Ksenia Maximova, a Russian-born Liberal Democrat councillor in London and prominent anti-war activist. The move, which includes accusations of participating in a terrorist organisation and allegations that her group, the Russian Democratic Society, supported Ukraine, has cast a spotlight on the growing tensions between Russian authorities and exiled opposition figures in the West.
For Maximova, who was once ranked among the world’s top 50 models in the 2000s, this latest escalation is hardly a surprise. "For years everyone was saying it's a bit random that I was still not on it," she told Sky News when discussing her addition to Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists. "I guess I'm one of the last ones, I was a bit more careful." The designation follows Russia’s earlier move in September to label the Russian Democratic Society as "undesirable" under Russian law, a step that paved the way for criminal charges under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Maximova’s journey from fashion runways to the corridors of British local government is as remarkable as it is emblematic of the changing face of Russian dissent abroad. Since 2022, she has worked tirelessly to support Ukraine, aid anti-war Russian emigres and refugees in Britain, and collaborate with the Russian Anti-War Committee. Her activism has not only drawn the ire of the Kremlin but also earned her a seat on Ealing Borough Council in London—a rare feat for a Russian-born immigrant.
According to The Moscow Times, Maximova has found unexpected support in the UK. "Everyone in the U.K. has been incredibly supportive. Sometimes it even feels like a bit too much, to be honest, given how many messages my colleagues have been sending me," she said. Maximova acknowledges the symbolic weight of her new status, adding, "There’s an expression: ‘Wear it as a badge of honor,’ but I’d rather have a different kind of badge of honor." The sequence of events—being put on a wanted list, then designated a terrorist and extremist—strikes her as odd, but not unexpected. "Honestly, I expected it. There’s even a joke that if you’re still not designated as a ‘foreign agent,’ an ‘undesirable organization’ or an ‘extremist,’ maybe you’re actually working for the FSB and someone is protecting you."
The FSB, for its part, claims Britain is orchestrating a campaign to unite Russian opposition figures and create the illusion of an alternative government. As reported by the Russian state-owned TASS news service, the agency asserts it knows the identities of all émigrés working with London and seeking to undermine Moscow. The charges against Maximova allege that the Russian Democratic Society collected money and assistance "in the interests of the Kyiv regime," deepening the Kremlin’s narrative of Western interference.
Despite the risks, Maximova remains undeterred in her activism. She admits she cannot return to Russia without facing prosecution and is concerned about the possibility of being placed on Interpol lists, which could complicate her international travel. "The problem comes if they stick you on Interpol," she explained to Sky News, "that could see me held up at passport controls when I travel." Yet, her resolve is clear: "If someone decides to get rid of me, they just will, there's nothing I can really do about that."
Her activism is not without personal cost. Maximova has previously spoken about the need to brief her children on the dangers of nerve agent exposure, a grim reality for Russian dissidents in the wake of the Salisbury poisonings. She continues to sound the alarm about what she sees as insufficient preparedness in the West for Russian hybrid threats. "Russia is constantly probing all the defences of every single country and the fact is that if they did want to do some damage they could quite easily," she warned in her interview with Sky News.
Her dual roles—as a local politician and a leader in the Russian anti-war movement—require constant balancing. Maximova described the challenges of her council work, recalling the brutal drought that struck her district in the summer of 2026. "We were elected in May and then we had an absolutely brutal drought all summer. I was visiting Kyiv and my constituents were messaging me saying: ‘All our parks are on fire.’ And I had to deal with it." She also faces social housing crises and the broader economic struggles affecting her constituents, drawing on her background in human rights to help those in need, whether they are British, Russian, or Ukrainian.
Her anti-war activism is just as demanding. Maximova has spent significant time in Kyiv, working alongside experts, journalists, politicians, and NGOs. She notes the difference in attitudes toward preparedness for conflict between Western countries and those with direct experience of Russian aggression. "When you spend part of your life in Russia, you’re left with this feeling that you always need to be prepared, ‘just in case.’ It’s this underlying state of alertness that you carry with you and the West simply doesn't have that." She laments the slow pace of institutional response in the West, even as her reports on Russia are commissioned and read.
Maximova’s political ambitions do not end at the local level. She has already submitted an application to become a parliamentary candidate and is weighing the possibility of running for Parliament. "I originally decided to run for the municipal council because it seemed like the natural path toward eventually running for Parliament. I’m still figuring things out, but I’ve now submitted an application to become a parliamentary candidate." She believes her party, the Liberal Democrats, could perform well in the next election, citing the unpopularity of Labour and the Conservatives and the perceived moderation of her own party. "People are tired of all the extremes, and I think we certainly have a chance."
Maximova’s story is also one of integration and acceptance in her adopted country. Despite concerns about her Russian heritage, she found British voters more interested in her stance on international issues than her background. During her campaign, she recounted, "There was one time when someone asked me how I felt about the war in Ukraine. It was January and I had just come back from Kyiv, so I replied: ‘I’ve just been freezing in Ukraine along with everyone else, so I hope that answers your question.’ That was basically it." She was surprised that her nationality was never raised as a significant issue.
As tensions between Russia and the West continue to simmer, Ksenia Maximova stands as a symbol of the new generation of Russian opposition—determined, globally connected, and undeterred by threats from Moscow. Her journey from the world of fashion to the front lines of political activism in Britain underscores both the risks and the resilience of those who challenge authoritarianism from afar. With her eyes set on Parliament and her activism ongoing, Maximova’s story is far from over.