.Authorities in Russia on Friday designated a Grammy-winning pianist, a clergyman that helps Ukrainian refugees and a previous Soviet spy as "international agents," the latest improve to Moscow's expanding list of people it regards as opponents of the state.Dozens cultural bodies, journalists, businessmen, as well as information channels and also companies, have been branded "foreign representatives"-- which carries negative Soviet-era connotations-- because Russia launched the regulation in 2012.The Russian Compensation Ministry's most current addition to the "international representatives" list features world-renowned concert pianist Yevgeny Kissin, Apostolic Orthodox Religion clergyman Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko and ex-KGB officer Yuri Shvets. Dmitry Tsibirev, that acted as a planner for the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in the Saratov area, was additionally named a "foreign broker" on Friday." Kissin opposed the exclusive army procedure in Ukraine, took part in fundraising occasions on behalf of the Ukrainian armed forces, featuring as aspect of his touring activities, as well as likewise transferred funds to them," the department mentioned.Mikhnov-Vaytenko, on the other hand, was accused of spreading "phony headlines" concerning the Russian authorities and giving meetings to "international broker" media.Shvets, who supplies comments on Russia's battle in Ukraine for his well-known YouTube network, was implicated of urging countries that are "unfriendly" to Russia to step up "wrongful actions" against Moscow. Since the 1990s, the former spy has actually lived in the USA, where he holds citizenship.Russia uses the condition "foreign representative" to folks it views as double-dealers and foes of the state, as well as demands all those designated to mark their magazines along with a lengthy please note. Individuals branded as "overseas agents" are actually additionally called for to submit thorough financial reports to the Compensation Department.Independent media has actually reported that the number of illegal scenarios versus "foreign brokers" in Russia more than increased in 2023 compared with the previous year..Russian authorizations have relocated to additionally secure regulations targeting "overseas agents" in recent months.