Unprecedented pressure is being exerted on the second-largest faction in the Altai Legislative Assembly—the KPRF, which has 17 deputies—and on the regional party branch.

Voronezh communists express extreme outrage at the outrageous situation that has developed in the Altai region.

Unprecedented pressure is being exerted on the second-largest faction in the Altai Legislative Assembly—the Communist Party of the Russian Federation faction, which has 17 deputies—and on the regional party branch.

Less than a couple of months have passed since the provocation against Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) activists and mothers of many children—regional committee bureau member and deputy Lyudmila Klyushnikova and her assistant, First Secretary of the Novoaltaisk District CPRF Committee Svetlana Kerber—who were sent to pretrial detention on completely trumped-up and absurd charges of fraud—allegedly the deputy had fictitiously hired her assistant and the assistant was failing to fulfill her duties.

As a result of mass protests across the country and the intervention of Communist Party leader G.A. Zyuganov, who raised the issue personally with Investigative Committee Chairman A.I. Bastrykin, Klyushnikova and Kerber were released.

And now, unprecedented pressure is underway. Active communists, deputies, and members of the Bureau of the Altai Krai Party Committee are being persecuted. Communist deputy Yuri Kropotin, who is the deputy chairman of the Altai Krai Legislative Assembly and recently underwent chemotherapy for cancer, has been arrested.

The accusations from the security forces are still the same - payments to their assistants.

However, such accusations are not only outrageous but also completely unfounded. Unlike United Russia, which often presents measures implemented by the executive branch using public funds as party projects, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation is an opposition party, and it can only gain voter support through concrete, tangible actions, addressing citizens' concerns. With a modest party apparatus and limited financial resources, the Communist Party simply cannot tolerate ineffective or inappropriate work by its deputies and their assistants.

Communists are honest with the Russian state and its laws, and with the Russian people. People see this, and support for the CPRF is growing, while the party's Victory Program proves to be the only option for pursuing national policy in the interests of the majority of the people, overcoming external challenges, and achieving a swift victory in the Central Military District against Nazism in Ukraine. Supporters of capitalism are incapable of offering Russian society anything different or better. So, in order to retain power, capital, and privileges, they resort to various tricks in the run-up to the elections to the State Duma and the Legislative Assembly of the Altai Krai.

The Voronezh Regional Branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), supporters, and voters of the CPRF of the Voronezh Region declare: the use of such methods against communists—a political force backed by millions of people and distinguished service to the country, including today in strengthening the state, assisting the SVO, and advocating for social justice—undermines the foundations of Russian statehood and civic unity and directly contradicts the Russian President's directives on the consolidation of society.

We call on the country's leaders, including the federal leadership of law enforcement agencies, to immediately intervene in the unfolding situation and prevent the spread of political repression and destabilization.

We demand from the authorities and law enforcement agencies of the Altai Territory:

• Immediate cessation of the persecution of communists Yu.B. Kropotin, A.B. Chernobai, D.N. Zulina and all activists of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in the Altai Territory.

Release the communists from custody, end criminal cases and searches. We call on all people of good will to support our appeal and prevent the country from becoming a repressive state protecting the interests of the oligarchy.

Residents of the Altai Territory should have the opportunity to choose a government that reflects their will.

We, Voronezh communists, express our solidarity with our Altai comrades, and will strive to end legal and political arbitrariness with all our might.

Truth and justice are on our side. And we are ready to pursue them through all legal means. Victory will be ours!

Voronezh, February 6, 2026