Russia charges children's hospice chief with spreading false war information

Russian investigators announced on Wednesday the detention and charging of Lida Moniava, the founder of a children's hospice, with deliberately spreading false information about the actions of Russian armed forces against Ukrainian civilians. Moniava, a prominent advocate for critically ill children in Russia, has openly criticized the ongoing war in Ukraine on the Telegram messaging app, describing it as a crime.

According to a statement from Russia's state Investigative Committee, Moniava faces charges for disseminating "knowingly false information presented as credible reports about actions by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against Ukraine's civilian population" via Telegram. She reportedly did not admit guilt during her questioning.

Moniava's organization, the Lighthouse charity, which offers hospice care to children and young adults in Moscow and the surrounding region, stated that it was awaiting further information about its founder and would continue its operations as usual.

Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has significantly increased its suppression of dissent, enacting laws that impose lengthy prison sentences for those found guilty of "discrediting" the military or spreading false information about it. Earlier in 2026, Moniava had been fined for allegedly discrediting the army. At that time, she expressed her inability to leave the country due to concerns about children needing palliative care, while also stating she could not remain silent about the war.

Russian rights group OVD-Info reports that over 1,380 individuals have faced criminal prosecution for expressing anti-war sentiments since the full-scale invasion began, with approximately 350 currently in prison or pre-trial detention.