Yaroslav Shirshikov, a political prisoner from Yekaterinburg, has written to Artyom Zhoga, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Urals Federal District, requesting not to be included in exchange lists. Shirshikov’s supporters shared the letter on November 20.
"I prefer to question the authorities of my country without the help of foreign governments. And if staying in my Homeland and standing with my people in their darkest hour means I have to remain in prison, then I will remain in prison," the letter reads.
Yaroslav Shirshikov explained his choice of recipient by noting, "[Vladimir] Putin launched his presidential campaign through [Artyom] Zhoga… It seems this Zhoga is skilled at solving issues." He also pointed out that the detention facility where he is being held does not have contact information for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which might handle the exchange.
Last week, the Telegram channel Mash, which is closely associated with security forces, reported plans for a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. This was later confirmed by the lawyer of Ksenia Karelina, a Yekaterinburg resident convicted for donating to a Ukrainian foundation. The exchange is reportedly set to take place in February 2025.
In February 2024, Yaroslav Shirshikov was sentenced to two years in a penal colony on charges of justifying terrorism (Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code) for a post about the death of propagandist Vladlen Tatarsky. Shirshikov wrote that he did not regret the "war correspondent’s" death and suggested he might have been killed "by his own allies." In October, his sentence was extended to five years.