DECEMBER 11, 2024 | UPDATED: MAY 27, 2025
RUSSIA

UPDATE—SENTENCES REDUCED AND BROTHER RELEASED FROM PRISON | ‘Standing on Jehovah’s Side’

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On May 26, 2025, the Kursk Regional Court reduced the prison sentences of Brother Dmitriy Chausov; his wife, Sister Oksana Chausova; and Brother Nikolay Kupriyanskiy following an appeal. Nikolay’s sentence was reduced to four years and six months. Dmitriy and Oksana’s sentences were reduced to one year and ten months. Since Dmitriy served time in pretrial detention, his sentence is considered complete, and he was released from prison. Nikolay and Oksana remain incarcerated.

On December 2, 2024, the Leninskiy District Court of Kursk convicted Brother Dmitriy Chausov; his wife, Sister Oksana Chausova; and Brother Nikolay Kupriyanskiy. Dmitriy and Oksana were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Nikolay was sentenced to six years in prison. They were all taken into custody from the courtroom.

Profiles

Dmitriy Chausov

Born: 1988 (Kursk)

Baptized: 2014

Background: Worked as a welder

Married Oksana in 2012

Charged with: Discussing the Bible and conducting meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Spent over six months in pretrial detention. For the over nine months he was under house arrest, Dmitriy was not allowed to live in the same home as his wife

Sentence: Two years and six months in prison

Personal Comments

What helped you to endure your time in the pretrial detention center?

In a letter, a brother offered me this encouragement: “The sooner you accept your new circumstances, the easier it will be.” This excellent advice helped me to realize that I needed to look for reasons to be joyful every day. So I began to pay attention to things like the sun shining through the cell window, the sound of a bird outside, or even the smiles of people around me. This taught me that no matter where I am, there are always reasons to rejoice. Maintaining joy is not easy, but it is vital to enduring faithfully.

Oksana Chausova

Born: 1986 (Kazakhstan)

Baptized: 2014

Background: Worked as a nail technician

Married Dmitriy in 2012

Charged with: Discussing the Bible and participating in the religious meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Spent over six months under house arrest

Sentence: Two years and six months in prison

Personal Comments

What has helped you to maintain the proper perspective while facing this challenging situation?

Because my husband and I were tried in the same criminal case, we were prohibited from living in the same house and from communicating with one another. To help me deal with this, I read life stories of our brothers and sisters who endured persecution in Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union. These experiences reminded me that Jehovah will not miraculously remove every obstacle from my path. Although there continue to be challenges and sorrows, I am determined to stay focused on the honor our family has to stand on Jehovah’s side and support his sovereignty. That gives me joy.

Nikolay Kupriyanskiy

Born: 1967 (Kursk)

Baptized: 1999

Background: Married Tatyana in 1986. They have a son and a daughter

Charged with: Conducting meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Spent nearly one year and four months under house arrest

Sentence: Six years in prison

Personal Comments

What have you learned from the example of others?

I often think about Joseph. Even while he was in prison, the Bible says that “Jehovah continued with Joseph and kept showing loyal love to him.” (Genesis 39:21) I am confident that Jehovah will also be with me wherever I am, so I have no reason to be afraid. It is also very encouraging to speak with others who have gone through trials similar to my own. Seeing the outcome of their faith reminds me that it is important to keep relying on Jehovah rather than trying to seek justice for myself. I hope my experience will provide the same kind of encouragement to someone else.

We are confident that Jehovah will continue to support Dmitriy, Oksana, and Nikolay, as He does not “hold back anything good from those walking in integrity.”—Psalm 84:11.

Jehovah’s Witnesses