I've been designated a foreign agent

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• The status is assigned by the Ministry of Justice and can be challenged in court. Since spring 2025 the grounds include not just foreign funding but a vague 'foreign influence'.
• A foreign agent must label all their material and file reports with the Ministry. If the status was given for media activity, a Russian legal entity has to be set up within a month.
• Under the current rules a single administrative offence is enough to open a criminal case under art. 330.1 CC. That is why human rights groups advise finding a lawyer straight away.
• Since 1 March 2025, income from renting or selling property, interest, dividends and royalties goes to a special account that cannot be used until the status is lifted.
• Foreign agents may not teach, run educational activities, organise public events or make content for children. Where to turn: Mass Media Defence Centre, First Department.

current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: how the foreign agent law works (extremist); First Department: foreign agents' special accounts (foreign agent); Radio Liberty: what awaits foreign agents in 2026 (undesirable)