🇷🇺 Russia — Country of Origin Information for UK asylum
Severe repression post-February 2022. Anti-war speech criminalised (Russian Criminal Code Art. 207.3 "fakes about the army"), mass mobilisation, LGBT movement declared "extremist" (November 2023), Memorial and many human rights organisations liquidated.
How to use this COI at your interview
- Before the substantive interviewPrint or save 2-3 key sources (CPIN if available, HRW World Report, local NGO). Interviewers may ask — best to have them ready.
- Link source to your storyIf CPIN says "in country X, Y happens" — your job is to show Y happened to you / your family / your circle. Not just citation — connection to facts.
- Give your lawyer all sources before submissionThe solicitor / IAA adviser will draft the skeleton argument with the right citations. Your job is to provide materials and context.
- If refused — COI for the appealAppealing at First-tier Tribunal without COI is nearly impossible. SAR + new sources after refusal = key to a successful appeal.
Authoritative sources
ranked by strength in UK TribunalsUK Tribunal hierarchy: CPIN > UNHCR Eligibility > HRW World Report > Amnesty annual > Freedom House > country-specific NGO. Higher = more cited in Tribunal decisions.
Look for CPIN Russia: Background, Political opposition, Anti-war activists, LGBT, Military service. Latest series 2024-2025.
- OVD-Info — политические преследования · Political
- Мемориал (архив) · Political — Ликвидирован 2021, архив доступен
- Mediazona — суды, тюрьмы · Detention
- Радио Свобода / Настоящее Время · Press
- Russian LGBT Network (Coming Out) · LGBTQ+
- «Идите лесом» — помощь уклонистам · Military
- European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) · Military
- Connection e.V. — помощь уклонистам · Military
- CPJ Russia — преследования журналистов · Press
- Forum 18 — религиозная свобода (РФ + оккупированные территории) · Religion
Recent events
for context at interviewWhat to gather for interview
UK Tribunals assess credibility from concrete evidence. Cases from Russia typically need:
- Conscription documents (call-up notice, military ID with category) — for draft evaders
- Social media screenshots with anti-war posts + administrative protocols for "discrediting armed forces"
- Court decisions in criminal cases against relatives / colleagues (context of persecution)
- NGO confirmation letters (OVD-Info, Memorial archive, "Idite Lesom")
- Media coverage of your case (Mediazona, Radio Liberty, Novaya Gazeta Europe)
- Investigation Committee / FSB inquiries (if any)
- For LGBT cases: membership of the "extremist" organisation (per November 2023 ruling), photos/videos from actions
- For religious minority cases: Forum 18 confirmation of persecution
Tip: file a SAR request to the Home Office before submitting additional evidence — you'll see what they already hold.
Important: StartNewLife UK is a referral directory, not an immigration advice service within the meaning of the UK Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s.84. This page is general information and navigation, not individual legal advice. All lawyers in the database are regulated by the SRA, IAA or BSB — verify their status on the public registers before instructing. For individual advice on your case, contact an SRA solicitor or IAA adviser directly.