The first case was opened in Russia due to references to the texts of the “Project” recognized as objectionable.

The acting prosecutor of Sterlitamak initiated a case against a local resident under the article on participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization” (20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) because of posts with links to the Proekt publication. Information about this appeared in the telegram channel of the human rights project "Network Freedoms".

According to the project, on March 9, 2021, a local resident posted on his VKontakte page two links to the Project’s investigations on the analysis of coronavirus statistics. This happened four months before the publication was declared an undesirable organization.

Human rights activists note that this is the first case they know about liability under Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for reposting materials from unwanted media. Network Freedom lawyers provide legal assistance to a resident of Sterlitamak.

• On July 15, 2021, the Attorney General's Office declared undesirable the legal entity Project Media, Inc - registered in the United States. The Russian authorities believe that the investigative media outlet "Proekt" is related to this legal entity and therefore is an undesirable organization in Russia.
• On December 18, 2021, the RKN notified several online publications at once about the blocking of dozens of publications based on the investigations of the Project. Among those who received such notifications were Rain, Znak, The Bell, The Village, and Meduza.