Moscow court fines Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles over Meduza interview
In short
A Moscow court fined musician Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles on Oct. 7, 2026, under an administrative article on participation in an undesirable organization. The case concerned an April 2026 interview with Meduza’s podcast, and Meduza reported that Grebenshchikov, who has been labeled a foreign agent in Russia, lives outside the country.
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A Moscow court fined musician Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles under an administrative protocol on participation in an undesirable organization, Meduza and RBC reported on Oct. 7, 2026. The Horoshevsky District Court issued the fine, according to Meduza and RBC; RIA Novosti also reported the fine, saying only that a Moscow court ordered it. The protocol was issued under Article 20.33 of the Administrative Code, Meduza reported, and the reason was Grebenshchikov’s interview with Meduza’s podcast “Chto sluchilos,” published in April 2026, according to Meduza, which cited Ostorozhno Novosti. RBC said the fine was for an interview with Meduza. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Meduza reported that Grebenshchikov has lived outside Russia for several years and that the Justice Ministry declared him a “foreign agent” in 2023. RBC also noted that he is recognized in Russia as a foreign agent. In 2023, Meduza reported, he was fined 50,000 rubles for “discrediting” the army, and in October 2025 he received a 40,000-ruble fine for violating the rules on foreign-agent activity. Meduza itself was declared an “undesirable organization” in January 2023, the outlet said, and since then its staff and authors have regularly faced protocols for participation in an undesirable organization. [ 1 , 2 ]
Neither Meduza, RBC nor RIA Novosti reported whether Grebenshchikov commented on the fine or whether he plans to appeal. RIA Novosti’s report did not mention the reason for the penalty or the musician’s background. The fine is the latest in a series of administrative penalties against him in Russia, according to Meduza. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The fine adds to a series of administrative penalties against Grebenshchikov in Russia, where he has been designated a foreign agent. It also illustrates continued enforcement against people who speak to outlets declared undesirable, a category that includes Meduza.
Key facts
- Moscow’s Horoshevsky District Court fined Boris Grebenshchikov 15,000 rubles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The fine was issued under Article 20.33 of the Administrative Code on participation in an undesirable organization. [ 1 ]
- The case concerned an interview with Meduza’s podcast “Chto sluchilos,” published in April 2026. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Meduza was declared an undesirable organization in January 2023. [ 1 ]
- Grebenshchikov has been designated a foreign agent in Russia. [ 1 , 2 ]
- He was fined 50,000 rubles in 2023 for “discrediting” the army. [ 1 ]
- In October 2025 he was fined 40,000 rubles for violating foreign-agent rules. [ 1 ]
- Grebenshchikov lives outside Russia. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Meduza was declared an undesirable organization in January 2023. Only Meduza reports this status; RBC mentions Meduza but not its designation.
- The interview was with the podcast “Chto sluchilos” and was published in April 2026. Only Meduza gives the podcast name and date; RBC only says the interview was with Meduza.
- Grebenshchikov was fined 50,000 rubles in 2023 and 40,000 rubles in October 2025. Only Meduza reports these earlier fines and their amounts.
- Whether Grebenshchikov commented on the fine or will appeal. No document addresses this.
- The exact date of the court hearing. Documents report the fine on Oct. 7, 2026, but do not state when the hearing was held.