We have represented many clients from Russia seeking asylum and related forms of protection, especially after it launched its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. For that reason, we follow news of political and human rights developments in Russia. On July 31, 2025, The Moscow Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill which criminalizes searching for “extremist” content online [The Moscow Times, July 31, 2025]. According to the report, the law “introduces fines of up to 5,000 rubles (about $64) for individuals who ‘knowingly’ view or seek out banned materials.”
Russia’s new law against searching for so-called extremist content online is consistent with its policies to disfavor and punish speech with which the government disagrees. The State Department’s recently released 2024 Country Conditions Report for Russia notes that “[w]hile the [Russian] constitution provided for freedom of speech, including for the press and other media, the government increasingly restricted this right” [DOS 2024 Human Rights Report for Russia]. Additionally, Russian authorities “maintained a federal blacklist of internet sites and required internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to web pages the [government] deemed offensive or illegal, including information that was already prohibited, such as items on the Federal List of Extremist Materials.”
Individuals who are in the process of applying for asylum or related forms of relief and protection or who believe that they may have a case to do so should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for case-specific guidance.
