Stand-up comedian Alexander Nezlobin, who lives in the United States, has been added to Russia's register of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice. The decision was published on the ministry's official website on August 28, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Justice, Nezlobin participated in creating and distributing materials produced by foreign agents and undesirable organisations. The ministry stated that he also spread inaccurate information regarding decisions taken by Russian authorities and their policies, while speaking out against the special military operation in Ukraine.
Additional names added to the register
The Ministry of Justice expanded its registry to include several other media figures alongside Nezlobin. Journalists Alexey Molchanov and Konstantin Gorozhanko were added to the official list, as was the information resource Knigazhar.
Under Russian legislation first passed in 2012, individuals and entities designated as foreign agents are subject to regulatory restrictions, mandatory financial audits, and strict disclosure rules requiring disclaimers on all published content.
Statements on potential visits to Russia
The comedian previously discussed the specific condition under which he would consider travelling back to Russia. Nezlobin stated that he might enter the country to visit close relatives.
Prior to those comments, Nezlobin had described the United States as his home. However, he also admitted that he might consider returning to Russia in his old age.
Background in Russian comedy and television
Nezlobin first gained prominence in comedic performance while competing in KVN as a member of the Ural State University of Economics team. KVN, short for Klub Vesyolykh i Nakhodchivykh or Club of the Merry and Resourceful, is a long-standing comedy competition across post-Soviet universities.
From 2006 until 2018, Nezlobin built a national profile as a resident comedian on Comedy Club, a prominent stand-up entertainment show on Russia's TNT network. The humorist relocated to the United States in 2021.
