In parts of Russia, local authorities have started imposing fines on residents for posting footage of Ukrainian drone attacks. So far, 12 regions have made it a misdemeanor offense, but only two have actually begun issuing penalties. Back in 2023, federal lawmakers considered a nationwide ban on publishing drone strike footage but ultimately backed off — reportedly after the Kremlin opted to preserve “a balance between information security and freedom.” Still, the number of regional bans continues to grow. Here’s what we know about the latest crackdowns.
Since 2024, a dozen regions across Russia have adopted administrative penalties for publishing photos or videos showing the aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes. So far, however, only the Kaluga and Tula regions have enforced the rules, issuing fines to social media users and journalists, according to Kommersant.
In Kaluga, regional officials told Kommersant that by early June, they had filed 42 misdemeanor cases with local courts. The alleged offenders were accused of violating a ban imposed by the regional emergency response headquarters on sharing footage of Ukrainian drone strikes. These restrictions were added to the region’s administrative code in September 2024 and carry fines ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 rubles ($38–50) for individuals and up to 100,000 rubles ($1,270) for businesses. Repeat offenses carry higher penalties.
It’s unclear when exactly Kaluga authorities began enforcing the rules, but some of the first fines were issued in November 2024, after three residents filmed a drone attack on a local oil depot. The individuals were later forced to apologize on camera for their actions. Of the 42 cases Kaluga authorities reported, two involved media outlets, five targeted residents who shared footage online, and three stemmed from social media comments. The rest involved Telegram channel administrators and VKontakte users.
In the neighboring Tula region, local officials reported one case in which a resident was fined 25,000 rubles ($318) in January 2025 for posting footage of a drone attack on the town of Aleksin. A government spokesperson said this remains an “isolated case.”
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Altogether, 12 regions have implemented similar bans, including Tver and the Republic of Kalmykia, where restrictions were introduced just this June. The bans follow the same pattern: regional lawmakers add a clause to the administrative code prohibiting violations of orders from emergency headquarters, which then issue specific restrictions on publishing content related to drone strikes.
The standard fine for first-time individual offenders ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles ($12–64), while businesses face up to 200,000 rubles ($2,500). In some regions, the penalties are significantly higher — Tver allows fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($3,800) for legal entities, and Volgograd up to 1 million rubles ($12,700).
In at least two other regions — Ryazan and Rostov — legislation enabling such fines is already in place, though officials have yet to implement any bans. A Ryazan government source told Kommersant, “The legal framework is there, but for now we’re sticking to warnings.”
In most regions where the penalties exist, they have yet to be applied. Officials in Kursk said locals have been careful not to post content that could reveal military positions. Authorities in St. Petersburg said no one has been fined because drone activity has been concentrated outside the city. In Ivanovo, officials said they simply haven’t had time to enforce the new rules.
As of yet, there is no equivalent nationwide ban. In August 2023, following a drone strike on Moscow, Kremlin-installed lawmakers in annexed Crimea proposed introducing federal fines for publishing drone strike footage. The proposal gained some traction, with support from relevant Duma and Federation Council committees. A group of senators even drafted legislation that would introduce fines of up to 50,000 rubles ($630) — and up to three years in prison for repeat offenses. But the bill was never submitted. According to Kommersant, the Kremlin ultimately decided it was important to maintain “a balance between information security and freedom.”
