A farmer from Samara has been placed in a pre-trial detention centre for donating 737 rubles (approximately US$8) to “Artpodgotovka.”

Yaroslav Shelepanov, a farmer from Samara Oblast, is accused of financing terrorism (part 1.1 of article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) because of two transfers via DonationAlerts totalling 736 rubles 85 kopeks (about US$8). As OVD-Info has learned, he is currently held in a pre-trial detention centre.

According to the investigation, on 28 and 29 September 2022 Shelepanov sent money to a community founded by Vyacheslav Maltsev from members of “Artpodgotovka.” The authorities have declared this community a terrorist organisation. The case materials also mention that Shelepanov visited Maltsev’s YouTube channel.

On 19 August 2026, a search was carried out at Shelepanov’s place. His phones, laptop and notebook were seized. On 21 August a criminal case was initiated, and the next day he was formally charged and sent to the detention centre.

According to OVD-Info, at first Shelepanov spent about a month in a holding cell, after which he was transferred to a cell with people charged with serious criminal offences. He is now sharing a cell with others accused in similar cases involving small donations.

While Shelepanov remains in custody, his relatives have had to sell about 50 sheep that he kept on his farm. The court has ordered that he remain in custody until 20 December.

• “Artpodgotovka” emerged around the YouTube channel of the same name run by politician Vyacheslav Maltsev, who had been posting videos on politics and social issues since 2011. From 2013, Maltsev called on his supporters to prepare for a “revolution” he scheduled for 5 November 2017. The same summer, he left Russia due to criminal prosecution. A few days before the announced date, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court declared “Artpodgotovka” an extremist organisation.
• Criminal cases concerning the financing of “Artpodgotovka” began appearing no later than 2023. People have been prosecuted for financing extremist activity (article 282.3 of the Criminal Code), financing terrorism (part 1.1 of article 205.1), and sometimes both. According to the figures of the SOVA research centre, in 2025 four people were convicted in such cases, and from January to September 2026—at least 32 more.