• Russia has designated Pussy Riot an extremist organization, banning its activities within the country.
• This follows jail sentences of up to 13 years for several members on charges of disseminating false information.
• Nadya Tolokonnikova, the group's founder, expressed pride in this label, asserting it reflects the repressive nature of the Russian government.
• The court's ruling is part of a broader crackdown on dissent since the war in Ukraine began.
• Pussy Riot has been a symbol of anti-Kremlin opposition since gaining notoriety in 2012.

On December 15, a Moscow court designated the feminist punk band Pussy Riot as an "extremist organization," effectively outlawing its activities in Russia. This ruling comes amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent, particularly related to the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine, and follows a September decision that sentenced five of the band's members to lengthy prison terms for spreading "false information" about the military, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The court ruling, upheld by the Moscow Tverskoy District Court, criminalizes any association with Pussy Riot, putting its supporters at risk of legal repercussions. This measure further distances the group from the Russian public, aiming to erase its presence and influence, as highlighted by Le Monde and Reuters.

Pussy Riot's notoriety began with a protest in 2012 against President Vladimir Putin, which has only intensified their opposition to the government, especially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Nadya Tolokonnikova, one of its founders currently living in exile, stated, "In today’s Russia, telling the truth is extremism. So be it – we're proud extremists," demonstrating the band's ongoing defiance, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.