# Ksenia Maximova on Russia’s War on Dissent

Ksenia Maximova discusses her case, the Kremlin’s use of extremist and terrorist labels, and what Russian democratic organisations in exile can achieve. Free attendance; advance registration required.

Canonical URL: https://onrs.org/events/maximova

## Details

- Type: talk
- Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Time: 16:00
- Venue: To Be Announced, Oxford
- Price: Free
- Ticket mode: fixr
- Status: registration
- Partners: Russian Democratic Society
- Tags: talk
- Access notes: Due to security considerations, we have had to change the venue and introduce advance registration for the event. Attendance remains free, but registration is now required. The exact venue will be communicated by email to registered attendees on the day of the event, Sunday 11 October. We apologise for the late change and appreciate your understanding. The event will otherwise proceed as planned.

Please note: if you travel to Russia, or may do so in future, please be aware of the potential risks under Russian laws on “undesirable” and banned organisations. We will not photograph or film the audience, and we ask everyone not to photograph or record other attendees without their consent.

## Content

> **Important venue and registration update**

Due to security considerations, we have had to change the venue and introduce advance registration for the event. Attendance remains free, but registration is now required. The exact venue will be communicated by email to registered attendees on the day of the event, Sunday 11 October. We apologise for the late change and appreciate your understanding. The event will otherwise proceed as planned.

[Register free on FIXR](https://fixr.co/event/wanted-by-the-kremlin-ksenia-maximova-on-russias-w-tickets-733609032)

We are pleased to welcome Ksenia Maximova, founder and director of the [Russian Democratic Society UK](https://www.rusdemsociety.co.uk/) and a [Liberal Democrat councillor for Walpole in Ealing, London](https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4402).

Ksenia worked in fashion, first as a model and then for many years as an agent representing photographers, before moving into activism and politics. Since 2022, the Russian Democratic Society has organised anti-war protests and public discussions, raised funds for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and people displaced by the war, and built links with British parliamentarians.

In September, the Federal Security Service opened a criminal case against her, placed her on a wanted list and accused her of involvement with a “terrorist organisation”. The Russian Democratic Society has also been declared an “undesirable organisation” by the Russian authorities. In her [interview with DW](https://amp.dw.com/ru/a-prosto-ne-mogu-podrugomu-ksenia-maksimova-rasskazyvaet-v-intervu-dw-o-podderzke-ukrainy-antivoennoj-deatelnosti-i-ugrozah-rossianam-za-rubezom/a-79492492), Ksenia discusses her support for Ukraine, threats against anti-war Russians abroad and her move from fashion into politics.

Ksenia will talk about her case, how the Kremlin uses labels such as “extremist” and “terrorist” against its opponents at home and abroad, and what Russian democratic organisations in exile can realistically achieve. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.

> Please note: if you travel to Russia, or may do so in future, please be aware of the potential risks under Russian laws on “undesirable” and banned organisations. We will not photograph or film the audience, and we ask everyone not to photograph or record other attendees.