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Russian human rights groups have filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court to repeal a law that prevents people from speaking out against the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

OVD-Info, one of the groups involved, said today that its aim is to abolish Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which prohibits “public acts aimed at discrediting the interests of the armed forces of the Russian Federation defending the Russian Federation”.

“This article should not exist at all because it prohibits criticism of the state, which is unacceptable in a democracy,” said OVD-Info’s attorney Violetta Fitsner.

The chances of repealing the censorship laws – part of a package passed eight days after last year’s invasion – are considered slim.

But if the complaint is dismissed, Ms Fitsner said it would show that human rights and the constitution no longer matter in Russia.

“In any case, we would like to draw attention to the issue of persecution in Russia for anti-war positions and pacifist beliefs and declare that such persecution is absolutely illegal,” she said.

Ms Fitsner said they had lodged 10 complaints since the weekend and planned to lodge another 10 – but expected to wait several months for a response.

Authorities have so far launched 6,561 cases under section 20.3.3, OVD-Info said, including against people who hold anti-war demonstrations alone, post opinions online or wear anti-war symbols on their clothing.

Those convicted under the censorship laws were fined. If they commit the crime of “defaming the military” again within a year, they face up to five years in prison, while spreading “false information” about the military carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

In recent weeks, authorities have taken their crackdown on dissent to a new level.

Prominent opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in prison last week for treason and spreading false information about the army – a further increase than the previous sentence for speaking out against the war. The sentence was three times longer.