Law & Legislation

Dima Yakovlev Law to go through third reading at State Duma on Friday

The State Duma will consider the "Dima Yakovlev Law" in the third reading on Friday. The amendments to this will prohibit the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens and will also expand its scope, affecting not only Americans who violate the rights of Russian nationals, but citizens of all countries.

13:22 20.12.2012

State Duma to draft new law on women serving in the army

A group of State Duma legislators is drafting a law providing for Russian women to be able to serve in the military alongside their conscripted male peers.

12:56 20.12.2012

State Duma votes to prohibit Americans from adopting Russian children

The State Duma has approved an amendment prohibiting Americans from adopting Russian children in the second reading. The amendment proposes banning these adoptions, closing adoption agencies, and terminating the U.S.-Russian agreement on the adoption of underaged children. The deputies approved the bill in response to the Magnitsky Act in the first reading on December 14.

17:54 19.12.2012

State Duma prohibits U.S.-funded political NGOs

The State Duma has approved an amendment on introducing a direct ban on the activities of U.S.-funded political non-profit organizations in Russia, as well as non-profit organizations whose activities are seen as a threat to Russia's interests.

17:14 19.12.2012

Federation Council approves amendments to Air Code on flight safety

The Federation Council has approved a governmental law according to which the Air Code will have a new article on the safety of civil airplane flights in line with the standards of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

14:57 19.12.2012

Federation Council approves law on increasing judges' wages

The Federation Council has approved a law stipulating the increase of wages for judges depending on their qualification class, degree and knowledge of foreign languages. The corresponding amendments have been introduced to the law On the Status of Judges in Russia.

12:16 19.12.2012

Duma to consider law on banning gay promotion among children

The State Duma has postponed until January 22 the first reading of a bill proposed by the Novosibirsk Region to impose fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($16,300) for promoting homosexuality among children.

15:52 18.12.2012

State Duma Committee backs amendment on banning NGOs financed by US

A State Duma committee has recommended the imposition of a ban on any Russian non-governmental political organization that receives financial support from the US, as well as on any NGO whose activities are seen to pose a threat to Russian interests.

15:19 18.12.2012

Duma proposes banning sale of energy drinks and alcoholic cocktails

The State Duma Committee is drafting amendments to the regulations on food products banning the sale of energy drinks and canned alcoholic cocktails.

11:33 18.12.2012

State Duma committee supports ban on Americans adopting Russian children

The State Duma Committee for Constitutional Legislation and Nation Building has supported an amendment on banning the adoption of Russian children by Americans in the so-called Dima Yakovlev laws, which was Russia's response to the Magnitsky Act adopted in the United States.

10:38 18.12.2012

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025