Expanded Foreign Agent Law: New Targets and Restrictions Under Putins Administration

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin officially enacted a law that broadens the criteria for designating individuals and entities as «foreign agents.» This move targets Russians associated with foreign governmental bodies and international organizations of which Russia is not a member.

The revised law permits authorities to classify as «foreign agents» those individuals who attempt to recruit others for gathering military intelligence that could potentially be used against Russia.

The term «foreign agent» carries connotations from the Soviet era and is employed by the authorities to identify individuals and organizations perceived as adversaries of the state. Those labeled as such must submit detailed financial statements to the Justice Ministry and include «foreign agent» disclaimers in their publications and social media posts.

Since the introduction of the label under a 2012 law, approximately 1,000 individuals, organizations, and media outlets, including The Moscow Times, have been designated as «foreign agents.»

In 2022, the law was further expanded to include not only foreign funding but also any form of foreign assistance as justification for the «foreign agent» designation. This modification empowered authorities to shut down websites without court intervention and prohibited designated individuals from receiving government funding, working with minors, or teaching at public educational institutions.

Additionally, a second law signed by Putin on Monday prohibits «foreign agents» from participating in any educational or awareness-raising initiatives, receiving aid from local government entities, or serving on the boards of state corporations. This law will take effect on September 1, 2025.