Relatives often ask: Is it possible to establish contact with a person who is being held in detention in the Russian Federation if they have been unlawfully deprived of liberty?
The answer: Yes, it is possible — but it requires effort and knowledge of some technical details.

What You Should Know:

Correspondence is possible via the FSIN-Pismo system: https://f-pismo.ru/ — an electronic platform of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN).
Accessing Russian websites from Ukraine requires a VPN. However:

• Not all facilities (pre-trial detention centers or penal colonies) are connected to this system.
• Letters are paid, and payment is processed by bank card. Ukrainian cards do not work.
  The best option is to find acquaintances who have a card issued by the Russian banking system. It is not possible to obtain a Russian online card from abroad.
• You can use the Prisonmail Online app — it allows messages to be sent to inmates using non-Russian bank cards: https://prisonmail.online/

Who Can Help Establish Contact:

If the family has acquaintances in Russia, they can:

• Create an account in the FSIN-Pismo system
• Pay for the letters
• Request a reply from the detainee

This is currently the most secure and effective method of communication.

Parcels, Visits, and Money Transfers:

Information about procedures for sending parcels or making deposits to an inmate’s account can be found on the official websites of specific colonies or regional FSIN departments. These websites are accessible only via VPN from Ukraine.

• Transfers can be made only from within Russia, and must comply with the restrictions of the specific institution, such as account balance limits based on inmate category.
• Parcels and visits are usually arranged with the support of civil society initiatives or volunteer networks.

Due to security reasons, we do not publish their names publicly.
You may contact the legal aid service of the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners — we will help you get in touch with reputable and open-working organizations.

Tips:

• Check whether the facility where your relative is held is connected to FSIN-Pismo.
• Verify the specific rules of that colony via VPN at: https://fsin.gov.ru/
• If you do not have access to contacts abroad, or you’re unsure how to proceed — please contact the legal team at the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners:
  🔗 https://www.relativespp.org/legal-assistance
  We will help you navigate the process and find a secure way to establish communication.

This publication was prepared within the “Capable and Strong” program, implemented by the East Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland.

📷 Photo: Suzy Hazelwood

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