In force · in force from 4 August 2026 (the whole law)
284-ФЗ of 4 August 2026 «On temporary restrictive measures against persons who are outside the Russian Federation and evade serving a sentence»
Who is affected
People abroad with a final sentence (including in absentia) or a penalty under certain 'political' Administrative Code articles (foreign agents, 'discrediting the army', calls for sanctions, 'undesirable' organisations), if the state considers them to be evading it. Measures apply from the day after the name appears on the Justice Ministry list.
Who is not affected
The measures are not automatic: all three grounds are needed at once (a final penalty, confirmed evasion, being abroad). A criminal case, a wanted notice or an unpaid fine under other articles alone does not put someone on the list.
What changes
- The Justice Ministry keeps a public list of people subject to 14 measures (arts. 2-4).
- Measures: frozen money and property, no notarial and most consular acts, no deals by power of attorney, no online public services or e-signature, no sole-trader or self-employed registration, real-estate applications returned, no loans, no transfers in banking apps, no driving (art. 2).
- Budget payments and money from other people go only to one special account in an authorised bank (art. 9).
- Dependent relatives without income may get a monthly allowance from frozen funds; removal from the list is by application and can be appealed in court (arts. 8, 10).
What to do now
- Check whether you are on the Justice Ministry list and note the date of the check.
- If you have an in-absentia sentence or a 'political' fine, decide on powers of attorney, property and money in Russia in advance, together with a lawyer.
- If you were listed without grounds (for example, the penalty is already served), send the Justice Ministry a written application for removal.
What is not yet clear
The Justice Ministry sets the list procedure by order; whether order No. 215 of 18.08.2026 is in force, and how 'evasion' is confirmed in practice, is not yet verified on an official text. The allowance for relatives is set by the government.
Guides that reflect this: You are abroad and wanted in Russia; The register of people abroad: Law 284-FZ; Documents abroad; Helping family and prisoners from abroad; Prosecuted for a post, repost or comment; Seizure of property and accounts of those who left; Your family is pressured while you're abroad; My flat or accounts were arrested: what it means and what to do; SIM card, phone number, Gosuslugi, banks; After leaving: loans, pension and working for a Russian employer; Military registration when you are abroad; The consulate refuses a passport or documents; I am being tried or was convicted in absentia; I want to move back to Russia for good