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

On May 18, 2026, a long period of imprisonment and the associated hardships 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. Meanwhile, immediately upon his release from the penal colony, law enforcement officers took Nikita Moiseyev to the Ulyanovsk railway station.

Nikita and Yevgeniy spent almost 3.5 years of the 7-year sentence handed down by the court in the penal colony; before that they had spent 2.5 years in a detention center. During the 6 years of their imprisonment, they endured many hardships: overcrowded and smoke-filled cells in the detention center, long hours of labor in the penal colony, punishment cell, inadequate living conditions and health problems. In addition, letters from relatives and friends were given to them only occasionally. Yevgeniy was mainly concerned for his wife throughout these years: Natalya is disabled.

Despite all the difficulties, they tried not to lose heart and adapted to the new circumstances. In the penal colony, they worked conscientiously, for which the administration repeatedly commended them. At first, the believers worked in the sewing workshop; later Nikita worked in the shop of the penal colony, while Yevgeniy was assigned to electroplating. In their free time, they studied English. They developed friendly relations with other inmates.

Four more of their fellow believers were convicted with Yevgeniy Razumov and Nikita Moiseyev. 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.