Tightening financial control over adolescents' bank accounts and instituting a ban on text messaging to be enforced starting in August.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma, has announced a series of legislative changes coming into effect in Russia, focusing on national security, memory protection, and supporting people.
The new laws aim to reduce spam and lower the risk of internet or phone scams by requiring banks to obtain parental consent before opening an account for a minor. This measure is intended to protect underage individuals from fraudsters using their cards to withdraw stolen money. Additionally, it will be easier for individuals to opt-out of unwanted SMS messages in Russia.
In a significant move to enhance national security, over 80 reasons have been recognized for the revocation of acquired citizenship, targeting serious crimes such as sexual violence against minors, extremist propaganda, cooperation with foreign adversaries, propaganda of Nazi symbols, and others. This aims to remove citizenship from those posing threats to the state.
Another key aspect of the new laws is the criminal liability for desecration of military graves and memorials, regardless of where the acts occur. This step is designed to protect the memory of those who fought in World War II and the Great Patriotic War, with encouragement for CIS countries and WWII allies to adopt similar laws, thereby preserving historical truth and respect for military sacrifices.
Furthermore, measures have been advanced to fine internet users who deliberately search for or access extremist materials online. This includes over 5,000 items deemed extremist by the Justice Ministry, aiming to curb extremist propaganda on the web by imposing fines on users accessing such content.
During the 2025 parliamentary session, over 300 laws were adopted, focusing mainly on statebuilding, economic policy, and national defense. This legislative effort is part of the broader initiative commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and supports the ongoing theme of safety, memory protection, and support for society.
State fees will be waived for legal proceedings involving individuals who participated in the SVO and their relatives, such as when confirming certain legal facts. This rule has been in effect since late July. The extension of EGE results validity applies to military personnel who participated in the special military operation, enabling them to enroll in educational institutions even after their service, thereby facilitating a smoother return to education.
Under Volodin’s leadership, these recent Russian legal reforms emphasize increasing national security through stricter citizenship rules and internet controls, protecting historical memory through tough penalties on desecration offenses, and supporting legal frameworks aimed at preserving truth about the past and safeguarding citizens.
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- The Russian government, under the leadership of Vyacheslav Volodin, has introduced new policies focusing on personal-finance, as banks will now require parental consent before opening an account for a minor.
- In line with the initiative of protecting historical memory, the new Russian laws also enforce criminal liability for desecration of military graves and memorials, aiming to curb such acts both domestically and internationally.
- The recent legislative changes in Russia, spearheaded by Volodin, also target extremist activities online, with internet users facing fines for deliberately searching or accessing extremist materials.
