Foreign agent journalist Roman Badanin put on wanted list under a Criminal Code article

On February 17, 2026, Roman Badanin, the editor-in-chief of the media outlet Project, was placed on a wanted list under a criminal code article in Russia. The designation of Badanin as a foreign agent journalist and the subsequent criminal charge indicate increased legal pressure on independent media figures in the country. This development reflects ongoing tensions between Russian authorities and journalists associated with foreign-funded or opposition media. The case may have broader implications for press freedom and the operational environment for independent journalism in Russia.