Full Breakdown
Russian Publisher Individuum Shuts Down After LGBTQ+ Extremism Convictions
By Drooid · · How we work
Closure of Individuum Publisher
The independent book publisher Individuum announced it will cease operations after eleven years in business. Editor-in-chief Alexei Kiselyov described the shutdown as “sudden, but not unexpected” and said that manuscripts in progress will be transferred to other houses. The decision follows criminal prosecutions of senior managers on charges of LGBTQ+ “extremism,” a legal category created after Russia banned the “international LGBT movement” as an extremist organization.
Recent Legal Actions Targeting LGBTQ+ Content
In May 2025, several employees of Russia’s largest book publisher, Eksmo, were arrested for alleged LGBTQ+ “propaganda” and “extremism.” Eksmo had acquired majority stakes in both its former young-adult imprint Popcorn Books and Individuum in 2023. After the arrests, Eksmo distanced itself from the two imprints. This summer, three senior employees of Individuum and Popcorn Books received four-year suspended sentences after being found guilty of LGBTQ+ “extremism.” Earlier this month, the Justice Ministry designated former Individuum editor-in-chief Felix Sandalov as a “foreign agent,” a status that imposes additional reporting requirements and stigmatization.
Impact on the Russian Publishing Landscape
The closure of Individuum adds to a pattern of state-driven suppression of LGBTQ+-related literature. The earlier shutdown of Popcorn Books by Eksmo in January and the arrests of Eksmo staff illustrate a broader crackdown that threatens the diversity of titles available in the Russian market. Publishers now face heightened legal risk when handling works that could be interpreted as promoting LGBTQ+ themes.
Official Statements & Responses
Alexei Kiselyov’s statement confirmed the closure but offered no detailed explanation beyond acknowledging the legal environment. The Justice Ministry’s designation of Felix Sandalov as a foreign agent was presented as a routine enforcement of the foreign-agent law, without comment on the broader publishing sector.
Outlook
With the legal framework increasingly targeting LGBTQ+ content, other Russian publishers may reassess their catalogues to avoid prosecution. Observers note that the combination of criminal convictions, foreign-agent designations, and corporate distancing could lead to further consolidation in the industry and a reduction in the availability of LGBTQ+ literature.