In the closing days of 2024, Putin signed more than 50 new laws. Here are the most important changes coming to Russia next year.
Russia can now amend its Terrorist Organizations List
A new law permits removing any organization from the federal government’s list of terrorist groups, even if its activities are banned in Russia. To allow the change, a court must approve a claim filed by the prosecutor general or one of his or her deputies. The new law allows Russia to exclude the Taliban, who came to power in Afghanistan in 2021, from its terrorist list.
“Foreign agent” earnings were redirected to special accounts
Russian law now requires the creation of special ruble-denominated accounts to hold the income of individuals designated as “foreign agents.” Proceeds from selling or renting real estate and vehicles, interest on deposits, and dividends from corporate equity stakes will be deposited into these accounts. Funds can only be accessed once the person is removed from Russia’s “foreign agents” registry.
Harsher penalties for insurrection and new punishments for foreigners who “aid the enemy”
A new law stiffens punishments for armed insurrection, raising prison sentences to a range of 20 years to life imprisonment (up from a previous minimum of 15 years). The law also eliminates parole eligibility for those sentenced to life for terrorism or insurrection and introduces penalties of up to 15 years for foreigners found guilty of “aiding the enemy.”
Widening the net Russian lawmakers are expanding the definition of treason — including for foreigners. Here’s what you need to know.
Migrant children will be barred from school enrollment without Russian proficiency
Starting April 1, 2025, migrant children will be admitted to schools only after passing a Russian language proficiency test.
Another right denied A new Russian law bans migrant children from school if they don’t know the language — but offers no way for them to learn it
Another right denied A new Russian law bans migrant children from school if they don’t know the language — but offers no way for them to learn it
Felony liability for repeatedly selling vape products to minors
Criminal Code amendments established felony penalties for repeatedly selling vape products to minors. Repeat offenders now face fines of 50,000 to 80,000 rubles (about $600) or up to one year of corrective labor.
Legal penalties for military service-related crimes now apply to mercenaries
Changes to the Criminal Code now hold members of “volunteer formations” accountable for offenses such as disobeying orders, resisting superiors, unauthorized absence, desertion, voluntary surrender to captivity, and other crimes applicable to military personnel.
The maximum penalty for involving minors in felonies was raised to 10 years in prison
The law introduces three-to-six-year prison sentences for using the Internet to involve minors in criminal activity and raises sentences for recruiting minors into criminal groups from eight to ten years. Meanwhile, the same law exempts doctors from criminal liability under Article 238, which pertains to providing services that fail to meet safety standards.
The city of Rostov was renamed Rostov the Great
A law renaming the city of Rostov (population 30,000) in Russia’s Yaroslavl region to “Rostov the Great” was passed thanks to an initiative by regional legislators. In 2023, a survey showed that 58 percent of residents supported the idea. Proponents argued that the historical and contemporary significance of the city’s name warrants its restoration. The law’s explanatory note states that the name “Rostov the Great” appears in historical records.
Cover photo: Gavriil Grigorov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
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