Russia threatens Wikipedia with 4 million ruble fine for inaccurate information about Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Russian censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has decided to fine Wikipedia 4,000,000 rubles (about $44,000), for disseminating false information about the Russian "special operation" in Ukraine.

"Roskomnadzor sent a notification to the administration of the Internet resource to immediately remove inaccurate information on the subject of the special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine," the agency said on Telegram.

Separately, Novaya Gazeta, the last liberal website to dare to criticize the government's policies in Ukraine, suspended operations after receiving a second warning from Roskomnadzor.

The following notice appeared on Russian news agency TASS' Telegram channel:

Internet service "Wikipedia" will be brought to administrative responsibility for non-removal of illegal information Roskomnadzor will draw up a protocol on an administrative offense under Art. 13.41 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation in relation to the Internet portal "Wikipedia" for failure to delete unreliable socially significant materials, as well as other prohibited information. In accordance with the requirement of the General Prosecutor's Office of Russia, Roskomnadzor sent a notification to the administration of the Internet resource to immediately remove inaccurate information on the subject of the special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, aimed at disinforming Russian users. According to Russian law, for failure to remove such illegal materials within the prescribed period, the site owner faces administrative liability in the form of a fine of up to 4 million rubles.