On September 22, 2025, a chilling report from the United Nations sent ripples through the international community: Russia, it alleges, is systematically reviving Soviet-era repression tactics to silence anti-war dissent and criticism of the government. According to Reuters and United24 Media, UN Special Rapporteur Mariana Katzarova’s findings paint a stark picture of escalating state-sponsored crackdowns, including a sharp uptick in forced psychiatric treatments used as punishment for those who dare to speak out against the war in Ukraine and the Kremlin’s policies.
“Punitive psychiatry has returned as an instrument against anti-war voices,” Katzarova declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Her report details how, since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s authoritarianism has only deepened. The data is striking: forced psychiatric measures have been used an average of 23 times per year since 2022, compared to just five annually between 2015 and 2021. That’s a more than fourfold increase, and it’s not just numbers on a page—it’s a sign of a government intent on stamping out dissent by any means necessary.
The use of punitive psychiatry isn’t new to Russia. The Soviet Union notoriously employed psychiatric institutions as tools to silence political opponents, branding dissidents as mentally ill and subjecting them to forced treatment. Today, these tactics are making a comeback, with dissenters facing not only psychiatric confinement but also torture and criminal prosecution. “This is an old Soviet tool of cracking down on dissidents—in this case, anti-war activists and journalists,” Katzarova said, according to United24 Media.
The report highlights how these repressive practices are being systematically reinforced under the guise of national security laws and other state measures. Laws criminalizing so-called “fake news” about the military and designating critics as “foreign agents” have been applied broadly to suppress dissent. The result? Journalists, activists, and political opponents are increasingly at risk of arbitrary detention and forced psychiatric evaluation—methods that serve to intimidate and silence those who question the government’s narrative.
One high-profile example is journalist Maria Ponomarenko, who was sentenced to prison and compulsory psychiatric treatment for criticizing the war. Her case, cited by Reuters, illustrates how the government is willing to use the full weight of the legal and medical systems against individuals who challenge official policy. It’s a move that not only punishes the individual but also sends a powerful warning to others who might consider speaking out.
The implications of these actions are profound, both for Russian society and for the broader international community. The revival of Soviet-style repression, especially punitive psychiatry, marks a severe escalation in Russia’s crackdown on dissent. As Katzarova’s report notes, this reflects a deliberate strategy to intimidate and silence critics, undermining fundamental human rights and democratic principles.
Human rights defenders warn that the Kremlin’s reliance on these methods signals an increasingly entrenched system of repression. The normalization of coercive psychiatry and arbitrary detention may pave the way for even harsher measures as the government seeks to eliminate all forms of opposition. Suppressing dissent in this manner creates a climate of fear that stifles free expression and eliminates public avenues for anti-war sentiment. It’s a phenomenon with deep social consequences, risking the creation of a generation traumatized by state violence and eroding social trust and mental health long after the current political climate changes.
These developments are not occurring in a vacuum. The Russian government’s actions are taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has already led to sweeping changes in Russian society. Since the invasion began, the authorities have tightened their grip on information, targeting journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens alike. Laws against “fake news” about the military have been wielded as blunt instruments, with critics facing prosecution for challenging the official version of events. The designation of individuals and organizations as “foreign agents” further isolates dissenters, cutting them off from support and subjecting them to constant surveillance and harassment.
Perhaps even more alarming is Russia’s apparent willingness to distance itself from international human rights norms. According to United24 Media, the Russian government has proposed that President Vladimir Putin formally withdraw from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, including all its additional protocols. Such a move would strip away another layer of external oversight, making it even harder for international bodies to hold Russia accountable for abuses.
Moscow, for its part, has dismissed the UN findings as part of a Western smear campaign. The government’s refusal to cooperate with UN mechanisms weakens global human rights enforcement and sets a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes. By rejecting external scrutiny, Russia signals that it is prepared to operate without regard for international standards—potentially encouraging more aggressive foreign policies and regional destabilization.
For those inside Russia, the risks are all too real. The systematic targeting of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens creates an environment where fear is pervasive and trust in institutions is eroded. “Dissenters face not only forced psychiatric confinement but also torture and criminal prosecution,” Katzarova’s report states, a stark reminder of the lengths to which the government will go to maintain control.
The international community is left grappling with how to respond. Russia’s actions undermine the very foundations of human rights and democracy, challenging the ability of global organizations to intervene or offer support to those at risk. The normalization of such repressive tactics raises uncomfortable questions about the future—not just for Russia, but for the international order as a whole.
As the world watches, the consequences of these policies will likely reverberate far beyond Russia’s borders. Suppressing dissent enables the government to operate without domestic oversight, potentially emboldening it to pursue more aggressive actions abroad. At home, the trauma inflicted by state violence and repression may linger for generations, leaving scars that will take years to heal.
Ultimately, the UN’s report serves as a stark warning: when a government revives the darkest tools of its past to silence opposition, the costs to society—and to the principles of justice and freedom—are immense.
