Russian Supreme Court Declares Ukrainian 'Yellow Ribbon' Movement Extremist and Bans Its Operations

Ruling from Russia’s Supreme Court

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: On November 12, 2026, Russia’s Supreme Court ruled to classify the Ukrainian nonviolent resistance group known as the 'Yellow Ribbon' as an extremist organization, effectively banning its activities within Russian-controlled territories. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by the Russian General Prosecutor's Office. The court proceedings were held behind closed doors, sparking protests from human rights advocates and independent experts.

Under Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code, organizing an extremist group can result in a prison sentence ranging from 6 to 10 years. Individuals involved may face 2 to 6 years behind bars. Additionally, occupying authorities have the option to press charges of treason, posing severe risks not only to active members but also to anyone suspected of supporting the movement, human rights defenders warn.

The Origins and Activities of the 'Yellow Ribbon' Movement

Founded in April 2022 amid Russia’s temporary occupation of Ukrainian regions, the 'Yellow Ribbon' movement emerged as a symbol of information resistance against the invasion. On April 25, 2022, movement leaders encouraged citizens to display Ukrainian flags and yellow ribbons in public spaces. That same day, yellow ribbons began appearing across occupied Kherson, quickly becoming a visual emblem of protest. Members organize symbolic demonstrations opposing the occupation and urge locals to boycott the illegitimate elections and referendums imposed by Russian authorities.

• In 2022, representatives of the 'Yellow Ribbon' movement were honored with the Andrei Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament, awarded to the Ukrainian people for their struggle against Russian aggression.
• Following a journalistic investigation highlighting security risks for activists, the movement announced a complete overhaul of its Telegram chatbot to enhance participant safety.

On Russia Day, the group prominently displayed pro-Ukrainian symbols across several occupied cities, including Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Melitopol, reaffirming their vocal opposition to Russian control. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling has intensified the pressure on the movement, with activists now facing heightened dangers and potentially severe legal consequences.

The Supreme Court’s decision labeling the 'Yellow Ribbon' as extremist marks a further crackdown on resistance against Russian occupation. This move may trigger a wave of arrests among activists and increase risks for anyone linked to the movement.

The international community and human rights organizations continue to voice deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in occupied areas, warning that these developments could prompt additional sanctions and diplomatic responses from Western nations.