Human rights organizations in Russia are facing unprecedented financial pressures, with banks linked to the government blocking access to domestic donations. These measures are forcing NGOs to shut down despite having committed no crimes. Online payment platforms have cut off services to these groups without explanation, leaving them unable to receive their primary source of funding.
OVD-Info, a prominent organization supporting political prisoners and Russian protestors, reported losing all its ruble-based donations, describing it as the largest blow in its 14-year history. Other groups, including immigrant support NGO Grazhdánskoye Sodeistvie and anti-domestic violence organization Nasiliu.net, have faced similar challenges, with some forced to close due to financial constraints and the Kremlin’s labeling of them as foreign agents. The Nuzhná Pómosch foundation also closed in August 2024 after being cut off from donations and receiving a foreign agent designation.
The restrictions have particularly affected organizations assisting political prisoners. OVD-Info reports that Russia currently holds at least 1,586 political prisoners. The NGO provides free legal aid through over 300 lawyers, as well as risk assessment and advice via Telegram. However, the financial blockade limits their ability to plan and operate sustainably, forcing them to seek alternative funding outside Russia, which has only partially mitigated the loss of domestic donations.
Payment platforms critical to NGO operations, such as CloudPayments and Yiukassa, have refused to process donations, citing company or security policies without further explanation. CloudPayments is owned by Tinkoff Bank, and Yiukassa is owned by Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank. This effectively blocks Russian donors from supporting these NGOs, threatening their continued existence.
The blockade has tangible consequences for individuals, including political prisoners like Ígor Baryshnikov, who suffers from cancer and is the sole caretaker of his elderly mother, and Nadezhda Buyanova, a 69-year-old pediatrician imprisoned for criticizing the Russian government. Both cases illustrate the human cost of the financial restrictions on NGOs.
Despite these obstacles, OVD-Info remains determined to continue its work. Spokesperson Dmitri Anisimov emphasized that the authorities aim to limit their activities, but the organization is seeking ways to maintain operations and support Russian citizens, even under extreme pressure and restricted funding channels.
