Russian Women Sentenced for 'Profit from War' Video

Tomsk Court Sentences Real Estate Agent and Blogger for Video Encouraging Women to Marry Soldiers Tomsk, Russia – A real estate agent, Marina Orlova, and a blogger, Darya Cherdantseva, have been sentenced to community service for creating and distributing a video deemed to incite hatred and hostility. The video, which went viral, advised women to marry soldiers participating in the military operation in Ukraine, suggesting they could profit from death benefits if their husbands were killed. The video caused widespread outrage and prompted legal action. "I sincerely want to apologize for the video," Orlova stated in a later interview, expressing remorse. Cherdantseva offered a similar apology. The court found the women guilty under Article 20.3.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which addresses the incitement of hatred or hostility. The sentences reflect the ongoing debate about online speech and its potential consequences in Russia. The case serves as a reminder of the potential legal ramifications of inflammatory online content and underscores the complexities of freedom of speech in the current geopolitical climate.