Ukraine Russia war: BBC Russian journalist Ilya Barabanov branded 'foreign agent' - BBC News

A leading science journalist - Asya Kazantseva - also gets the label used to silence Kremlin critics.

1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, Personal archive/BBCImage caption, Asya Kazantseva and Ilya BarabanovBy Laurence PeterBBC NewsThe Russian justice ministry has labelled two prominent journalists - BBC Russian correspondent Ilya Barabanov and science reporter Asya Kazantseva - as "foreign agents".

Barabanov has written extensively about Russia's war in Ukraine and the Wagner mercenary group. The BBC condemned the ministry's move against him.

"The BBC strongly rejects the decision," a BBC statement said.

The "foreign agent" label has very negative connotations in Russia.

The government has used it to marginalise not only critics of the Russian invasion of Ukraine but also voices challenging other Kremlin policies, including prominent cultural figures, media organisations and civil society groups.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68803936

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