Vladimir Sergeev — a former machine tool operator, was passionate about sports, mushroom picking, and both board and computer games. On March 6, 2022, he was detained at Pushkin Square in Moscow during an anti-war demonstration, where he and his friend Anton Zhuchkov planned to commit public suicide in protest against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. During the arrest, Sergeev was found to be in possession of Molotov cocktails, which became grounds for a criminal case. On April 20, 2023, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison for preparing a terrorist act. Later, the sentence was reduced by 2 months.
Before his arrest, Sergeev worked as a machine tool operator at an automobile manufacturing plant. His hobbies included mushroom picking, sports, and playing board and computer games. On March 6, 2022, together with his friend Anton Zhuchkov, he took part in an anti-war demonstration at Pushkin Square in Moscow. As a protest against Russian aggression in Ukraine, the friends planned to commit public suicide by taking lethal doses of methadone. However, they were detained, and Molotov cocktails were found in Sergeev’s backpack.
After being hospitalized, they were sent to a pre-trial detention center. The investigation classified Sergeev’s intent to set an empty police van on fire as preparation for a terrorist act. On April 20, 2023, the Second Western District Military Court sentenced him to 8 years in prison. The defense deemed the charges unfounded, and his lawyer filed an appeal to review the case. On September 27, 2023, the Appellate Military Court reduced his sentence by 2 months.
In prison, Vladimir continues to engage in sports and reads extensively, despite the challenges of his detention conditions.
Here is what he wrote about his prison life in one of his letters:
About a new cellmate — a refugee from Mariupol:
“A man with cerebral palsy was transferred to our cell, accused of terrorism. According to the investigation, he allegedly encouraged Russians to commit terrorist acts. He’s a refugee from Mariupol and said he had to spend a lot of time in a basement under heavy shelling. There was no evacuation to Ukrainian territory, so he fled to Russia. He ended up under investigation in Ulyanovsk and was sentenced to 9 years in a high-security prison, 3 of which are to be served in a penal facility. His leg is paralyzed below the knee, and his hands function poorly. He needs constant assistance with daily tasks. I and the other cellmates often have to help him. He refuses to obtain a Russian passport and openly holds a pro-Ukrainian stance. According to him, this caused conflicts with previous cellmates. Otherwise, he’s quite sociable and cheerful.”
About books:
“The library works well here. I’ve been reading even more than I did in Moscow. I devoured Shakespeare’s collected works in a week. Now I’m reading The Great Terror about the 1937 purges. I won’t go into much detail, as the topic isn’t new, but I’ll share an observation: Stalin was unique in how systematically he destroyed his own entourage. The NKVD underwent at least two purges: first Yagoda and his people were eliminated, then his successor Yezhov. What else? Almost all those repressed confessed to false accusations. Even in open trials, the defendants dared not deny their guilt, hoping for a lighter sentence. Denying guilt often led to execution. I’m also slowly making my way through Nabokov. I can’t read much of him at once—it’s dense. I especially liked the endings of Mary and King, Queen, Knave—unexpected and bordering on literary mischief. The unpredictability is a hallmark of good literature.”
About pastimes in the cell:
“Our cell now has an unusual form of entertainment—an old 1980s geography atlas. We take turns getting lost in it. I finally learned where Cuba and the Caribbean Sea are. It’s fascinating to trace hypothetical shipping routes through rivers and canals.”
About sports:
“I can’t boast of any physical achievements. Prison slowly but surely saps motivation. And, as luck would have it, my main motivator—migraines—have disappeared. Moreover, the clothing isn’t suited for exercise; tracksuits aren’t allowed here, and the uniform doesn’t stretch or fit snugly. We can’t take it off either; everything’s monitored by cameras. But I promise to get back on track. I still do daily stretches and think I’ll manage to sit in the lotus position in a couple of months.”
HOW TO HELP
Address for letters and parcels:
663180, Красноярский край, г. Енисейск, ул. Декабристов, д. 11, Т-2
Сергеев Владимир Андреевич 24.09.1985 г.р.
It is possible to send letters through the electronic service «ФСИН-письмо», PrisonMail.Online.
How can I write letters to political prisoners in Russia?
Tinkoff Bank
5536 9141 5380 7247 (Anna)
