Russia's campaign heavily relies on assassination, targeting former insiders and individuals that the regime perceives as threats to its security.
Additionally, Russia is also responsible for assaulting and detaining its nationals abroad as well as conducting renditions and unlawful deportations.
It has demonstrated a willingness to take the life of perceived threats at least in Ukraine, Germany, Bulgaria, and the U.K.[1] The Kremlin also harasses and detains its nationals in exile through manipulating and abusing the Interpol notice system.
A significant case was its targeting of Bill Browder, a whistleblower who campaigned to sanction officials involved in Sergei Magnitsky’s murder, corruption, and human rights violations.
[1][9][10] In 2021, governments of in Russia, People's Republic of China, Turkey, and Bahrain managed to have their nationals detained in Morocco, Poland, Serbia, Kenya, and Italy based on Red Notices.
[7] Russian nationals abroad who are high-profile critics of the government's politics are subjected to surveillance and hacking campaigns.
It instead focuses on activism repression at home and controlling the information environment so that exiles are unable to reach domestic citizens.
[1] The government also will confiscate property, file spurious charges, and threaten colleagues or family members who remain in Russia.
[12] Unlike other Russian nationals, citizens from Russia's Chechen Republic (Chechnya) face a total transnational repression campaign.