Anton Khripko

A resident of the Moscow Oblast. According to his close associates, in 2021 he and his friends met Aleksandr Nemchikov, who presented himself as a special forces veteran. Case materials indicate that Nemchikov was an FSB informant and had been embedded in Khripko’s circle of friends as early as December 2021, even though, according to the investigation, Khripko’s alleged criminal activity only began after the start of the "special military operation". Following the introduction, Nemchikov, according to the support group for Khripko and others being prosecuted, systematically provoked discussions of dangerous topics: suggesting they find sponsors in Ukraine, discussing possible terrorist attacks, and criticising the authorities. He recorded all conversations. Although his friends often disagreed with him, they did not openly object, out of respect for him as a "veteran".

The support group also claims that Nemchikov encouraged Khripko and others to practice throwing Molotov cocktails in an abandoned, detached building. These activities were also recorded on devices provided to him by the FSB.

Later, participation in these meetings was classified as training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities, with the investigation asserting that Nemchikov was recruited into Khripko’s group as a person with combat experience.

The support group claims that the "veteran" spent months persuading Khripko to set fire to vehicles containing medical oxygen at a military base in Balashikha, Moscow Oblast. On 8 May 2023, the young man, having succumbed to these pressures, went to the site with the informant, where he was immediately detained. Khripko was charged with organising the activities of a terrorist community, organising training for terrorist activities, and involving a minor in criminal activity. According to the support group, during the investigation he was threatened with a case against his parents if he refused to plead guilty.

In addition, a separate case was opened against Khripko for high treason and sabotage in connection with the arson of an integrated transformer substation on the railway in Balashikha.

On 29 July 2025, he was sentenced in the first case to 19 years in a strict regime penal colony.