.Authorities in Russia on Friday designated a Grammy-winning pianist, a priest who aids Ukrainian refugees and a past Soviet spy as "foreign representatives," the latest update to Moscow's burgeoning checklist of individuals it deems as opponents of the condition.Hundreds of cultural shapes, reporters, businesspeople, and also headlines outlets and companies, have actually been branded "foreign representatives"-- which brings adverse Soviet-era undertones-- since Russia launched the regulation in 2012.The Russian Justice Ministry's latest addition to the "overseas representatives" list includes world-renowned concert pianist Yevgeny Kissin, Apostolic Orthodox Congregation priest Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko and ex-KGB policeman Yuri Shvets. Dmitry Tsibirev, that functioned as an organizer for the late Kremlin movie critic Alexei Navalny in the Saratov area, was also called a "international representative" on Friday." Kissin resisted the exclusive military procedure in Ukraine, participated in fundraising occasions in support of the Ukrainian armies, including as component of his touring activities, as well as additionally transferred funds to them," the administrative agency mentioned.Mikhnov-Vaytenko, meanwhile, was actually accused of spreading "artificial news" about the Russian authorizations as well as offering meetings to "international agent" media.Shvets, who provides commentary on Russia's war in Ukraine for his popular YouTube stations, was implicated of advising nations that are "antagonistic" to Russia to boost "prohibited activities" against Moscow. Because the 1990s, the former spy has stayed in the United States, where he stores citizenship.Russia administers the term "foreign agent" to individuals it views as traitors and also enemies of the state, and demands all those designated to mark their publications with an extensive disclaimer. People branded as "overseas representatives" are actually likewise demanded to provide thorough financial files to the Compensation Administrative agency.Independent media has stated that the variety of criminal cases versus "foreign brokers" in Russia much more than increased in 2023 compared to the previous year..Russian authorities have relocated to additionally tighten regulation targeting "international representatives" in latest months.