Nikita Moiseyev and Yevgeniy Razumov Released from Colony in the Ulyanovsk Region

On May 18, 2026, a long period of imprisonment and the hardships associated with it came to an end for Nikita Moiseyev and Yevgeniy Razumov. The believers were released from Penal Colony No. 3 in Dimitrovgrad. Their relatives traveled 1,200 kilometers from home to meet them. At the same time, immediately upon his release from the penal colony, law enforcement officers took Nikita Moiseyev straight to the Ulyanovsk railway station.

In the colony, Nikita and Yevgeniy spent almost three and a half years of the seven-year sentence handed down by the court; another two and a half years they had spent in pretrial detention. During six years of deprivation of freedom, they endured many hardships: overcrowded, smoke-filled detention cells, long hours of labor in the colony, time in a punishment cell, a lack of adequate living conditions, and health problems. In addition, letters from relatives and friends were delivered to them extremely rarely. Evgeniy's main concern throughout these years was anxiety for his wife: Nataliya has a Group II disability.

Despite all the difficulties, the men tried not to lose heart and adapted to the new circumstances. In the penal colony, they worked conscientiously, for which the administration repeatedly issued commendations. At first, the believers were employed in garment production; later Nikita worked in the local shop, while Evgeniy was assigned to electroplating. In their free time, they studied English. They developed friendly relations with other inmates.

Along with Yevgeniy Razumov and Nikita Moiseyev, four more of their fellow believers were convicted. Oleg Shidlovskiy and Aleksey Goreliy were released half a year ago, while Vladimir Popov and Aleksey Dyadkin will be freed very soon—in May and June 2026, respectively.

By now, 81 Jehovah's Witnesses have already served various terms in penal colonies and correctional centers, while about 120 remain behind bars.