Russia: Latest Criminal Code Amendments

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Photo: Arrest of activists - Daniel Beilinson

Russia's Criminal Code has changed significantly through late 2025 and early 2026. The Russian government has passed new laws that expand criminal penalties, tighten restrictions on travel, and broaden the definition of crimes related to military service and political dissent. This Russia law update 2026 covers the most important amendments and explains what they mean for people who may need to claim asylum. For a full analysis of the human rights situation, see our country report on Russia.

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What Changed: Key Amendments

Since late 2025, the State Duma (Russia's parliament) has passed several rounds of amendments to the Criminal Code. These changes follow a clear pattern: the government is making punishments harsher and expanding the types of behaviour that are illegal.[1]

Military Service and Mobilisation Offences

The most significant changes relate to military service. Article 328 (evasion of military service) now carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, up from 2 years. This applies during peacetime. During "special military operations" or martial law, the penalty doubles.[2] "Evasion" now includes failing to respond to a digital summons. Russia introduced electronic military summons (through the Gosuslugi state portal) in 2023, and from 2025 a summons is legally considered "delivered" even if the person never opens it.

Article 338 (desertion) penalties have increased to up to 15 years during wartime. A new clause added in early 2026 removes the possibility of a suspended sentence for desertion if the person left Russian territory. This is very important: it means anyone who fled Russia after receiving a call-up and who returns will face mandatory prison time.[3]

Foreign Agent and "Undesirable Organisation" Laws

The foreign agent law (Federal Law No. 255-FZ) has been amended again. Penalties for failing to register as a foreign agent have increased. Repeated violations can now bring up to 6 years in prison. The definition of "foreign agent" has been made even broader. A person can now be designated as a foreign agent for receiving any form of foreign support, including emotional or informational support from foreign organisations. This is a very loose definition that gives the authorities wide power.[4]

Article 284.1 (participation in an "undesirable organisation") now applies to anyone who has ever been a member or volunteer of such an organisation, even if their involvement ended before the organisation was banned. The maximum penalty is now 6 years.[5]

Foreign Travel Restrictions

New regulations restrict the right to leave Russia. All men of military age (18-65) who are on the military reserve register now need permission from their local military commissariat (voenkomat) to travel abroad. This permission can be denied without explanation. In practice, this means that many Russian men cannot legally leave the country.[6]

Watch our video 'Why People Flee Russia' on our YouTube channel.

Table of Key Amendments

Context: Continuing Crackdown

These amendments are part of a long pattern. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has passed hundreds of new laws that restrict freedoms and increase punishments. The trend has accelerated. For a full analysis, see our Russia country report 2025-2026.[7]

"The Russian authorities are using the Criminal Code as a weapon. Each amendment closes another escape route for people who oppose the war or refuse to fight."
— OVD-Info, Annual Report on Political Persecution, 2025

Impact on Asylum Claims

These legal changes are directly relevant to asylum claims from Russian nationals. The harsher penalties for draft evasion and desertion strengthen claims based on military service refusal. Under international law, forcing a person to fight in an illegal war of aggression can amount to persecution. The UK Upper Tribunal has recognised this in case law involving Russian draft evaders.[8]

The expanded foreign agent and undesirable organisation laws mean that more people face criminal prosecution for peaceful activities. Even small acts of dissent, such as sharing a social media post from a banned organisation, can lead to years in prison. This supports asylum claims based on political opinion.

The travel restrictions make it clear that Russia is trying to stop people from leaving. For those who have already left, the removal of suspended sentences for deserters who left the country shows that the government intends to punish returnees severely. This is strong evidence of a risk of serious harm upon return.

Our Russia country expert witness reports explain how the new Criminal Code amendments and travel restrictions affect the claimant's specific risk on return.