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Russia’s Federal Security Service in Belgorod has opened a criminal case against Nikita Parmenov, editor-in-chief of the regional outlet Pepel, on charges of justifying terrorism. The FSB alleges he voiced support for two groups designated as terrorist organizations in Russia, but has not released the statements it cites.
Pepel says the case may relate to a livestream in which Parmenov said he could not condemn Russians who join the units, while also condemning attacks on civilians in Belgorod region. The timing of the alleged statements and any next legal steps have not been reported.
Russia’s Federal Security Service in Belgorod has opened a criminal case against Nikita Parmenov, editor-in-chief of the border-region outlet Pepel, on charges of justifying terrorism, according to a report by Fonar cited by Meduza. The FSB alleges that Parmenov voiced support for the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, both designated terrorist organizations by Russian authorities; the security service has not published the statements it says underpin the case.
Fonar reported the case, citing a statement from the Belgorod branch of the FSB. The security service did not name Parmenov in its press release, but said the person under investigation had been designated a “foreign agent” and was located in a South Caucasus country. The report identifies that person as Parmenov, Pepel’s editor-in-chief.
The FSB statement, as described by Fonar, does not give the words allegedly used, when they were said, or links to the material in question. The allegation is that Parmenov expressed support for the two volunteer groups. That claim has not been accompanied in the reported statement by the underlying remarks, leaving readers unable to assess the full wording or immediate context from the security service’s account.
Pepel said the case may have been prompted by Parmenov’s appearance on a YouTube livestream hosted by the program Vremya Nakazhet, translated as “Time Will Punish.” Asked about Russian volunteers fighting on Ukraine’s side, Parmenov said he could not condemn Russians who joined them, according to Pepel’s account. The outlet also said he “unequivocally condemns” actions by units that have shelled civilians in Belgorod region.
A Criminal Case Over Public Remarks
The case puts a regional editor’s comments about Russian nationals fighting alongside Ukraine at the center of a criminal investigation under Russia’s terrorism-justification law. The FSB’s allegation concerns support for groups that the Russian state has designated as terrorist organizations; the reported material, however, does not provide the specific words or show how investigators interpret them.
The gap between the allegation and the available evidence matters to readers trying to understand what conduct authorities are investigating. Pepel’s account points to a livestream with more than one relevant statement: Parmenov reportedly declined to condemn Russians who joined the units, while also condemning their alleged shelling of civilians. Those descriptions come from the outlet, not from a transcript or full recording cited in the FSB statement.
Pepel covers the war and its effects in Belgorod, a region bordering Ukraine. A criminal case involving its editor could affect the outlet’s reporting and staff, although no operational changes or consequences for Pepel have been reported so far.
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Pepel’s Reporting From Belgorod
Pepel launched in autumn 2022 and reports on the war and its aftermath in Belgorod region. Meduza reported that the outlet’s Telegram channel had about 170,000 subscribers at the time of its report. The publication describes its coverage as uncensored; that is the outlet’s own characterization.
According to Pepel, a pro-war Telegram channel called Zapiski Veterana (“A Veteran’s Notes”) had earlier alleged that Parmenov supported the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion. Pepel said the channel’s authors edited the livestream and removed the portion in which Parmenov condemned the units for shelling Shebekino. The report does not independently establish what the channel posted or provide the full livestream for comparison.
The case was reported on October 26, 2026. The source material does not provide a date for the livestream or for the alleged remarks, so the timeline between the broadcast, the earlier Telegram allegation and the opening of the criminal case remains unclear.
““I unequivocally condemn” the actions of units that have shelled civilians in Belgorod region.”
— Nikita Parmenov, as quoted in Pepel’s account of the livestream
The Alleged Statements Remain Unpublished
The reported FSB statement does not disclose the specific remarks it considers justification of terrorism, their date, or where they appeared. It also does not name Parmenov, according to Fonar’s account, and the available reporting does not describe the evidence gathered by investigators.
Pepel’s view that the livestream triggered the case is presented as a possibility, not a confirmed explanation from the authorities. The source material does not establish whether investigators cited that broadcast, the earlier Telegram posts, or other material. It also does not report whether Parmenov has been formally charged, detained, or questioned, or whether he has responded directly to the case.
Investigators’ Next Public Steps
The immediate next development would be further information from the FSB or other authorities identifying the alleged statements and the procedural status of the case. No hearing date, court filing, arrest, or timetable for investigators was included in the report.
Further reporting may also clarify whether the livestream is central to the investigation and whether a complete recording or transcript is available. Until authorities disclose more, the precise basis for the allegation and the next steps in the case remain unconfirmed.
Key Questions
Who is facing the criminal case?
Nikita Parmenov, editor-in-chief of the Belgorod-region outlet Pepel, is identified in the reporting as the person targeted by the case. Fonar said the FSB did not name him in its statement.
What are the charges?
The case concerns justifying terrorism. The FSB alleges that Parmenov voiced support for the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, which Russian authorities have designated terrorist organizations.
What did Parmenov reportedly say?
Pepel said that during a livestream he said he could not condemn Russians who joined volunteer units fighting on Ukraine’s side. The outlet also said he condemned actions by units that had shelled civilians in Belgorod region.
Has the FSB published the remarks at issue?
No specific remarks were included in the FSB statement as described by Fonar. The report says the statement did not provide their wording, date, or links to them.
Where is Parmenov now, according to the report?
The FSB reportedly said the person named in the case was in a South Caucasus country. The source material does not identify the country or independently confirm Parmenov’s location.
Source: rss
