Amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code
The Russian State Duma has drafted amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses that broaden the grounds for deporting foreign nationals. Submitted by the government in March 2026 on the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the bill aims to significantly increase the number of violations that can lead to expulsion. Specifically, the list of deportable offenses will expand from 22 to 43 articles, with deportation becoming the primary and mandatory punishment for newly added violations.
Critically, personal circumstances such as family status, employment, or length of residence will carry no legal weight in deportation proceedings. However, foreigners who have served in the Russian Armed Forces will be shielded from mandatory expulsion. For them, alternative penalties like fines or compulsory labor are stipulated.
Implementing this legislation is projected to cost at least $23.1 million between 2026 and 2028, while additional revenue from fines is estimated to exceed $38.7 million. As one expert notes,
“participation in the war against Ukraine is now the only reliable legal protection for a migrant on Russian territory. Everything else is a matter for negotiation with the deportation apparatus - the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.”This move comes amid Russia's ongoing efforts to recruit foreign nationals into its military ranks.
New Grounds for Deportation
The newly introduced grounds for deportation also include:
- participation in unauthorized mass gatherings
- dissemination of extremist materials
- discrediting the Russian armed forces
- calls for sanctions against Russia
- promotion of banned symbols
- abuse of media freedom
- petty hooliganism
These changes have raised alarm among human rights advocates and could significantly impact the rights situation for foreigners in Russia.
The amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code signal a tightening of state control over foreign nationals, particularly in the context of heightened political tensions and military conflicts. By introducing new deportation grounds and diminishing the role of personal circumstances, the law is likely to lead to a surge in expulsions, a prospect causing deep concern for human rights organizations. This policy shift may also affect Russia's international standing, as it could be perceived as a severe restriction of human rights.
As Russia intensifies its military recruitment efforts, the implications for foreign nationals residing in the country become increasingly severe. This situation is reminiscent of recent incidents at the borders, where Ukrainians were apprehended for smuggling undocumented Russians. Such actions highlight the tightening grip on immigration and the risks associated with cross-border movements in the current geopolitical climate.