Natalia Nikolaevna Vasilenko

Natalia became famous back in 2017, when her case was reported by the independent press. A woman with a third-degree disability who was unable to find work due to medical restrictions, was about to be evicted from her apartment for debt. Natalia had previously worked in construction, but after she was diagnosed with epilepsy, doctors issued a list of work restrictions. Following a public outcry, the authorities withdrew the lawsuit, and Natalia was able to pay off her debts with the help of Nobel laureate and writer Svetlana Alexievich. Afterward, Alexievich continually supported the Gomel woman, and many other caring individuals also joined in.

In September, Natalia was caught in a security crackdown —detained for "extremist" subscriptions. The same judge who would try her on criminal charges fined her for an administrative offense. The Gomel resident was forced to star in a "repentance" video, in which she showed no remorse, and when asked how she felt about the government, she bluntly replied, "Badly." She was then released on bail.

She also talked about all this on social media, and in her last post, she wrote that they had come to take her into custody—as part of a criminal case. Natalia also posted a photo of herself with cut veins on her arm.

In conclusion, she was placed just before the trial.

She was released at the end of April 2026 upon completion of her sentence.