Stories that light the way to freedom

The Ukraine Action Summit is currently taking place in Washington, D.C. — one of the key advocacy forums in support of Ukraine.

As part of the advocacy days, our co-founder Irina Livaadnaia and activist Tatiana Vorozheeva, as members of delegations, held meetings with several congressional offices.

Their discussions focused on the issue of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by Russia, as well as our letter-writing initiative for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

They presented the foundation’s work and highlighted the importance of supporting related initiatives, including the U.S. Congressional resolution on abducted Ukrainian children.

We received positive feedback from both congressional offices and Ukrainian participants of the summit.

We continue working to ensure these stories are heard — and lead to concrete action.

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On April 5, 2026, we will gather again to write letters to Ukrainian prisoners of war, abducted civilians, and Crimean Tatars held in Russian prisons.

This will be our third meeting.

So far, we have sent over 100 letters, received replies, and more than 10 ongoing correspondences have already begun.

No preparation is needed — we will guide you through everything.

You can write just a few lines, and you can do it anonymously.

Even short letters matter.

🗓 April 5, 2026

🕒 3–6 PM (drop in anytime)

📍 White Rabbit Bookstore

200 West 86th St, Manhattan, New York

Join us in this simple but meaningful act of support.

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Dear friends,

We are launching an urgent fundraiser for Elizaveta — an LGBTQ+ activist from Russia and our volunteer — and her husband Dmitry, a Ukrainian from temporarily occupied territories, whose case in the United States was closed without consideration.

Elizaveta is a bisexual activist. In 2022, she openly opposed repressive laws in Russia — organizing initiatives, participating in protests, and holding a solo пикет in Saint Petersburg with a sign reading “Love is not propaganda.” Following this, she began receiving threats, including reports of formal denunciations against her.

Together with her husband Dmitry, also our volunteer, she was forced to leave Russia. Dmitry is Ukrainian, originally from territories currently under Russian occupation.

According to Elizaveta, in the United States they:

— applied for legal status within the required timeframe;

— submitted all documents, evidence, and support letters;

— fully complied with legal requirements.

At one hearing, the judge noted there were no further questions. However, the case was later postponed at the request of the prosecution to provide original documents.

Before the next hearing, the prosecution filed a motion to dismiss the case.

The final decision stated that the materials did not sufficiently confirm past persecution, and similar evidence was lacking for Dmitry. As a result, the case was closed without being considered on its merits.

Update

⚡Friends, over the weekend we raised $1,652 — more than half of the goal.

This is a huge support for Elizaveta and Dmitry, and a real impact from all of you.

Update

‼️ FUNDRAISER CLOSED  ‼️

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Dear friends,

We are launching an urgent fundraiser to support political activist Roman Pereverzev — for legal defense, adaptation, and employment assistance during his immigration process.

Roman is a civil journalist and activist who worked with opposition media, livestreamed protests (May 6, 2012, Occupy Abay, Navalny’s mayoral campaign), and conducted public interviews across Russia. He also volunteered during the Krymsk flood and co-founded a humanitarian aid point in Moscow.

After four months in detention, Roman was released and lived in Sacramento. His case has now been transferred to New York. Basic needs are covered — we helped him find housing and continue to support his adaptation.

We connected him with a trusted immigration lawyer, and initial legal fees were covered by supporters. Within the next month, Roman is expected to receive a work permit and begin supporting himself.

Right now, we need to raise $500 for the next monthly legal payment.

By court order, Roman must submit all case materials by April 13. Legal support at this stage is critical.

Roman faces a high risk if deported. His passport has expired, and relocation to a third country may not be possible. In Russia, he risks a long prison sentence — there is no room for error in his case.

We especially call for solidarity from those who stood on Bolotnaya Square in 2012, volunteered in Krymsk, or supported Oleg Shein’s hunger strike. Even if you didn’t know Roman лично — you stood alongside him.

Support Roman

Need help? Contact us at info@rusrefund.com

Update:
⚡ Friends, in the first 24 hours we raised $297 out of $500 for Roman’s lawyer.

This is incredible — thank you to everyone!

Update:

‼️ FUNDRAISER CLOSED ‼️

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On March 1, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, we invite you to an exhibition dedicated to women political prisoners facing serious health issues.

The event takes place ahead of International Women’s Day.

These are real stories of women who are currently imprisoned — often without proper medical care or support.

On this day, you can make a simple but meaningful gesture:

write or send a postcard to a woman political prisoner.

Sometimes, just a few words matter more than we think.

A themed photo zone will be available for women and girls.

Each participant will receive one professionally edited photo by our photographer, Evgenia.

Join us.

This is about attention, support, and being present where it matters most.

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Update:
We created a small space where visitors could write postcards for March 8.

64 postcards were written, 58 sent, and 44 women have already received your words of support.

We have already received 8 replies.

Each one is a quiet miracle — it means the letters reached them. It means the connection exists. They are not alone.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped organize everything and to the artists who created these deeply human portraits.

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Dear friends, we have important news.

There has been a rotation in the RusRefund Board of Directors: Yuri Rusakov is stepping down, and we sincerely thank him for his contribution to the foundation’s development. Alexey Ivanenkov has been appointed as the new Secretary.

To select a new board member, we introduced a unique approach for the nonprofit sector — Advisory Voting.

Under New York State law, the formal decision is made by the Board. However, we believe the voice of our community should be decisive.

We conducted a full three-stage process:

1. Nomination: community members proposed candidates.
2. Statements & withdrawals: candidates presented their vision.
3. Voting: anonymous voting, where Alexey received the majority.

Alexey is a person of strong principles. In Russia, he stood against law enforcement abuse, opposed censorship on television, and built opposition communities. After the war began and following his participation in protests, he was forced to leave the country.

Now in the United States, Alexey continues to support Ukraine, works as a photographer at anti-war events, and exposes channels of Russian propaganda.

We are proud that RusRefund is not a closed circle, but a living organization where every volunteer can influence decisions.

Welcome to the team, Alexey. 🤝

Let’s keep moving forward together.

Join us by filling out the volunteer form.

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Portraits of Hope Exhibition Successfully Held

We are grateful to everyone who made this exhibition possible.

Special thanks to Ivan Pestryakov and his wife Victoria for providing the space, to the Free120 campaign for collaboration, to the artists and Animators Against the War for their participation, and to all volunteers for their time, effort, and support.

We also thank everyone who visited the exhibition and supported us through donations — the entire event was made possible by community contributions.

Financial summary:

Printing (artworks & banners): $456.88

Snacks and refreshments: covered by us

Donations collected: $604.82

Remaining balance: $147.94 — transferred to Free120

Support our work:

Rusrefund.com/donate

Support Free120 campaign:

free120pzk.com/donate

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Dear friends, colleagues, and supporters,

The president of the Russian Refugee Foundation has been nominated to participate in the Platform of the Russian opposition at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The nomination was put forward by the Russian Refugee Foundation (New York, USA) following an internal vote among board members, active participants, and volunteers. The application was officially submitted on January 4 in accordance with the established procedure.

Why this matters:

1. We represent a grassroots diaspora organization. The voices of such organizations must be heard. The challenges faced by Russian political refugees remain largely invisible in both Europe and the United States — this must change.
2. We remain financially independent as an organization and do not pursue financial gain through participation. Our goal is to represent our community directly, without intermediaries.
3. The PACE platform has the ability to initiate discussions and hearings, shape expert opinions on human rights, influence recommendations and resolutions, and engage NGOs and humanitarian initiatives. This creates a real opportunity to move from words to concrete support for anti-war Russians abroad.
4. We can serve as a bridge between diaspora organizations and governments, improving coordination in asylum cases and deportation issues.
5. It is critical to promote recognition of deportations of Russian citizens back to Russia as a serious risk of persecution, and to advocate for humanitarian approaches for those “in between countries” — ensuring protection rather than forced return.

As a former municipal deputy, political activist, refugee, and now a person convicted under politically motivated charges in Russia, I understand firsthand what it means to be without rights — both at home and abroad.

We believe that a grassroots representative is needed at PACE.

This nomination is a step toward that representation.

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🎨 PORTRAITS OF HOPE: Art Against Inhumanity

We invite you to an important exhibition taking place in Brooklyn this January.

“Portraits of Hope” is a project dedicated to political prisoners in Russia who are in critical health conditions. Through art, we aim to give a voice to those whose voices are being silenced behind prison walls — and to draw attention to the urgent need for humanitarian aid and their release.

Why does this matter?

Behind each portrait is a real person suffering from serious illness without access to proper medical care. These works are symbols of human resilience and a reminder that solidarity knows no borders.

Event details:

• 📅 January 8–11, 2026

• 📍 ArtSeeKer New York, 1921 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY

The exhibition is organized with the support of 120pzk, Russian Refugee Foundation, and the #AnimatorsAgainstWar community.

Join us to support political prisoners and learn how we can help together.

Your presence is also an act of solidarity.

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Russian Refugee Foundation, together with partners, held a Christmas live stream from Times Square in New York:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSiW3Reichk/?igsh=MXNseGhkdXQ0cWFleQ==

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The event was organized jointly with ProtestNY and Faces of Russian Resistance.

During the stream, we spoke about Russian political prisoners, shared their stories, and reminded viewers why international attention and support remain critically important.

The broadcast brought together people in one of the most visible places in the world — turning Times Square into a platform for solidarity and awareness.

Thank you to everyone who joined, watched, and supported.

Together, we continue to speak out.

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New York!

The Freedom Zone Festival is coming soon to your city — and the Russian Refugee Foundation is proud to be a co-organizer!

We invite all politically engaged residents of New York State to join this legendary festival, dedicated to telling the stories of Russian political prisoners, supporting them, and helping their families.

🤲 All funds raised will go directly to families of political prisoners — for legal fees, care packages, and travel expenses to visit loved ones in colonies.

📅 Saturday, November 22

🕒 Doors open at 2:30 PM, event starts at 3:00 PM

📍 178 Bennett Avenue, Manhattan

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Dear friends,

We are pleased to share the outcome of our recent event dedicated to writing letters in support of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and Crimean Tatars held in Russian captivity.

Your support and participation mean the world to us!

✍️ Letters written: 41

📧 Sent electronically: 12

✅ Delivered to recipients: 12

We hope each of these letters became a ray of light and a reminder that our heroes are not forgotten—they are remembered and awaited.

In the near future, we expect to receive replies to some of the letters, and we will certainly share these important updates with you.

Thank you to everyone who took part!

And special thanks to WhiteRabbit bookstore (@whiterabbitsbooks) for hosting the event.

Together, we are strong!

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Russian Refugee Foundation is now officially registered!

We are proud to announce that Russian Refugee Foundation Inc is now officially registered with the Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office (Letitia James).

Our registration number is 50-98-25.

This means that the foundation is now formally recognized in the State of New York and listed in the official registry of charitable organizations. We also hold federal 501(c)(3) status.

These milestones confirm our transparency, legitimacy, and long-term commitment to our mission: to support refugees and defend human rights.

🙏 We thank everyone who supported us on this journey — lawyers, volunteers, friends, and donors.

Your support makes this possible.

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Our president, Sergey Vlasov, has been sentenced in a politically motivated criminal case in Russia.

On October 3, 2025, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow found Sergey Vlasov guilty under Part 3 of Article 284.1 of the Russian Criminal Code — “Organizing the activities of an undesirable organization.”

Sentence: 4 years in a general regime penal colony and a 5-year ban on administering online resources.

The charges: Vlasov and three former Moscow deputies were convicted of participating in the activities of the German-based NGO Deputies of Peaceful Russia, which was labeled “undesirable” in Russia in August 2024. The charges were based on the publication of two articles on the organization’s website in October and December 2024.

Sergey Vlasov did not plead guilty.

We consider this sentence to be politically motivated persecution for peaceful civic activity.

We call on the international community to pay close attention to Sergey Vlasov’s case.

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The Russian Refugee Foundation and ProtestNY stand in solidarity with the Campaign to Free 120 Gravely Ill Political Prisoners.

The prisoners of the Russian regime are not criminals. They are people who chose truth over comfort, and freedom over silence. Today, they are paying with their lives for standing against Russia’s war in Ukraine and for believing in justice and human dignity.

Portraits of Hope, a project by People for Free Russia, makes their stories visible. More than 120 seriously ill political prisoners have been immortalized through portraits created by artists — many of whom remain anonymous. Each portrait is an act of solidarity and a reminder: their voices will not be erased.

Together, we raise awareness and fight for freedom.

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On September 3, we hosted a warm and cheerful picnic at Kaiser Park — with over 50 participants celebrating the end of summer together.

We served delicious grilled chicken and beef, with cold kvass that brought smiles all around. The atmosphere was friendly, cozy, and full of connection — laughter, conversation, and new friendships.

The special guest of the day was Maxim Ibadov — a brilliant star of New York’s drag scene — who brought joy, sparkle, and unforgettable energy to the event.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our partners at Coney Island Family Enrichment Center for making this day happen!

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Gelman Show is a Friday broadcast on FREEDOM FM 104.7 — and this episode is worth a listen.

On August 15 at 5 PM, the studio welcomed the co-founders of the Russian Refugee Foundation:

🎙 Yurii Rusakov — co-founder of RRF, anti-war protester in Moscow, correspondent for Sota.Vision, contributor to Novaya Gazeta Europe, and PhD in Philosophy.

🎙 Sergey Vlasov — RRF president, former municipal deputy (Pechatniki, Moscow), and U.S. representative of the Anti-War Committee.

They spoke about how the Russian Refugee Foundation supports those who fled Russia due to the war — helping them adapt, find community, and start a new life in the United States.

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Last weekend, the “Vibe” music festival took place in New York — and the Russian Refugee Foundation played an active role in making it happen.

We helped with logistics, equipment, and coordination: volunteers greeted musicians at the airports, drove them in personal cars, assisted with technical setups, and worked behind the scenes. RRF volunteers also supported guest activities, breakfasts, and venue operations — and had a great time themselves!

We’re deeply thankful to everyone who joined us — for the energy, dedication, and spirit. Events like this show that freedom has a rhythm, and solidarity has a sound.

🎤 Want to take part in concerts and antiwar events, or help fellow Russians arriving in the U.S.?

Fill out the volunteer form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3wRLocQbGrwXhUIBxH-6RyjjfqhWQ9bAZZI096zlKlCnzng/viewform

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🏳️‍🌈 The Russian Refugee Foundation took an active part in NYC Pride this year.

We updated our profile image in celebration of Pride Month — because we believe that being yourself is not a privilege. It is a right.

RRF supports everyone who faces persecution because of their identity. We work for freedom — and together with New York, the city where freedom becomes home, and the United States, where it is protected by law, we say:

🗽 The freedom to be yourself is not up for debate.

📍We stand with those forced into hiding — and those choosing to live openly.

Russian Refugee Foundation’s full participation in NYC Pride — from marching to engaging with the public — was a powerful moment. We stood for refugee rights and showed that freedom and solidarity go hand in hand.

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🎶 A musical picnic for World Refugee Day and 📸 a portrait exhibition of seriously ill political prisoners — two events came together in New York with one goal: to support freedom, solidarity, and the right to a dignified life.

🌳 On June 21, Kaiser Park hosted a warm, family-friendly gathering with jam sessions, homemade pastries, songs, and the #free120pzk exhibit — dedicated to 120 seriously ill political prisoners in Russia. The portraits sparked attention: passersby stopped, asked questions, and signed the petition.

✍️ Sign the petition to demand their release:

https://chng.it/nwwZfbyXNf

💙 We are grateful to everyone who joined us that day — and especially to those who share stories, who resist, and who support.

📌 Organized by: Russian Refugee Foundation @rusrefundUS and Coney Island FEC @ConeyIslandFEC

📍 Brooklyn, NY

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We’re launching the “Clothing Bank” project by the Russian Refugee Foundation!

We help refugees, migrants, and anyone going through difficult times — without shame, without bureaucracy, and with compassion. Everything is free.

At our Clothing Bank, you’ll find:

👞 Shoes for adults and children

👖 Clothing for all seasons

🧥 Outerwear

👶 Children’s clothes in various sizes

🧢 Accessories — from belts to everyday essentials

🙌 If you have clean, wearable clothes you’d like to donate — we’ll gratefully accept them and pass them on to those in need.

Let’s do something good together!

📍 Contact us:

Telegram: @volgovod26 | @yuraenglish

Instagram: @volgovod_2.0

With warmth and care,

Russian Refugee Foundation

We are always here for you. 💙

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Last week, the Russian Refugee Foundation was once again invited to speak at Union College.

Co-founder Iurii Rusakov held a roundtable with faculty members focused on political repression in Russia, while RRF President Sergey Vlasov delivered a lecture to students about the role of the exiled Russian opposition.

The discussion centered around the struggle for a democratic future, the value of freedom, and the moral responsibility to support those who continue to resist — despite the threat of prison or exile.

After the event, we received warm responses from both students and faculty. One professor wrote:

“I’m really glad that you invited your brave friends, Sergey and Iurii, from the Russian Refugee Foundation […] I hope that we can bring them back, maybe in the fall and for a larger audience.”

We are deeply grateful for the invitation and the interest in our experience — and we’ll be honored to return to Union College to speak again on freedom, solidarity, and human rights.

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Russian authorities have opened a criminal case under Article 284.1 Part 3 of the Criminal Code against Sergey Vlasov, president of the Russian Refugee Foundation and former Moscow municipal deputy. The official order cites his involvement in the activities of organizations labeled “undesirable” by the Russian government.

Also charged in the same case are several prominent exiled politicians: Ilya Azar, Igor Glek, and Elena Rusakova. All are members of the association “Deputies of Peaceful Russia,” which advocates for civil rights, peace, and democracy.

We view this case as politically motivated persecution aimed at silencing and intimidating the anti-war diaspora. It is yet another sign that the Russian regime fears peaceful speech and civic activism.

Despite these attacks, the Russian Refugee Foundation will continue its mission: supporting refugees, defending free expression, and standing with those who oppose the war.

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Today, the founders of the Russian Refugee Foundation took part in the 9th annual Brighton Beach Pride in New York. We stood in solidarity with trans and LGBTQ+ immigrants facing persecution, discrimination, and violence — in Russia and beyond.

We believe that defending the rights of all refugees is our moral duty, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Russian LGBTQ+ and transgender activists are especially vulnerable to repression and need global recognition and protection.

We thank the Qaravan initiative, Maksim, and Liza for their courage, resilience, and for creating a space where the most marginalized voices are heard.

Human rights are universal. Freedom and safety must belong to everyone.

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The Russian Refugee Foundation is proud to co-organize an upcoming event in New York City featuring renowned political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann and journalist Maksim Kurnikov.

This is a unique opportunity to hear their insights on current events, ask questions, and discuss Russia’s political future in a live, open format.

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🗓 Date: April 19

🕔 Time: 5:00 PM

📍 Location: Brookdale Auditorium, Hunter College 425 E 25th St, New York, NY

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In the lobby, our friends from Tamizdat will present a special collection of banned and hard-to-find literature from Russia.

Representatives from the Russian Refugee Foundation will also be there — we look forward to speaking with you and sharing more about our work.

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🎟 Get tickets:

https://somewhere.show/ekaterina-schulman-nyru

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🙌 Volunteer registration:

https://forms.gle/eXWqoRCGdfWDfSNbA

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Don’t miss this chance to be part of a vital conversation.

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Last night, Russian singer Ellina Greipel performed at the iconic DROM venue in Manhattan, with beloved songs by the band Bravo filling the air and creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

We were proud to present the Russian Refugee Foundation at this event — a community that supports Russians who have fled war, repression, and political persecution.

Throughout the evening, we spoke with guests about our work, shared contact information, and invited them to join and support our initiatives. A foundation banner stood at the entrance, signaling our presence and mission.

We sincerely thank Ellina for the inspiring performance, the Siniy Trolleybus family club for organizing, and everyone who stopped by to connect with us.

Together, we build solidarity, one conversation at a time.

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The Russian Refugee Foundation co-founders took part in a special gathering with former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza, honoring the memory of Alexei Navalny.

The discussion centered around faith, courage, and the cost of fighting for freedom. Navalny’s unwavering commitment to justice — even at the highest personal cost — remains a powerful example for those working toward a democratic future for Russia.

Navalny’s prison-written book Patriot served as the heart of the conversation, sparking reflections on resilience, dignity, and moral clarity in the face of repression.

We deeply respect Vladimir Kara-Murza and are grateful for his return to freedom after years in Putin’s prison. His voice remains strong, clear, and unshakably principled.

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On the opening night of the exhibition “Life in the Prison” — the first U.S. showing of works by imprisoned anti-war artist Asya Dudyayeva — the Russian Refugee Foundation was officially introduced to the public.

Foundation President Sergey Vlasov spoke at the event, outlining the goals of the organization and introducing co-founders Irina Livadnaya and Yuri Rusakov. He emphasized the foundation’s mission: to support Russian citizens who have fled war, political persecution, or mobilization, and who are now seeking freedom, dignity, and stability abroad.

What is the Russian Refugee Foundation?

• We help Russian immigrants navigate resettlement and adaptation in the U.S.
• We support humanitarian and cultural projects across the U.S. and internationally.
• We are fully independent — not funded by oligarchs or political elites.
• We welcome open membership and cooperation with other initiatives.

Since its creation, the foundation has already begun real action:

✔ Our 501(c)(3) registration application has been submitted.

✔ Pro bono legal partnerships have been established.

✔ A clothing bank for new arrivals is being launched.

✔ A bilingual website is now live and continuously updated.

The Russian Refugee Foundation is more than a nonprofit — it’s a community built on mutual support, inclusion, and solidarity.

Follow our work and join the movement.

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Dear friends, we have great news!‍

On February 7, 2025, the Russian Refugee Foundation was officially registered in the United States as a nonprofit organization.

This designation confirms that our foundation operates exclusively for charitable, educational, and humanitarian purposes, ensuring that all donations directly support programs assisting refugees.

We expect soon to receive official confirmation of our tax-deductible status, meaning that donations made to our foundation will be eligible for deduction on U.S. tax returns. This will allow our donors to support our mission while benefiting from potential tax advantages.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supports our work, and we look forward to expanding our impact with your help.‍

Stay tuned for updates— we will announce when tax-deductible donations become available!‍

📌 Support our foundation today—together, we can make a difference!

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We invite you to a special exhibition “Life in the Prison”, showcasing powerful artworks by Asya Dyudyaeva, a Russian artist imprisoned for her anti-war stance. This will be the first-ever display of her works in the United States, providing a rare opportunity to witness her compelling expressions of resistance firsthand.

📍 Location: Brooklyn, NY

📅 Opening Night: February 7, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📍 Venue: O’Dwyer Community Center, Art Space

“Life in the Prison” highlights the harsh realities faced by those jailed for their convictions in Russia. Asya’s artwork, created despite imprisonment and censorship, vividly captures the strength, courage, and unbreakable spirit of political prisoners. Through this exhibition, we aim to amplify her voice, draw international attention to her plight, and remind the world of those who risk everything for truth and freedom.

This event marks the first-ever U.S. showcase of Asya’s impactful anti-war art, connecting her story with a global audience.

The exhibition is hosted by the Russian Refugee Foundation in collaboration with partner organizations supporting human rights and democracy:

• Free Russia Foundation
• OVD-Info
• Anti-War Committee

Join us in solidarity to support courageous voices behind bars.

‍Admission is free. Donations welcomed.