Russia bans ’foreign agents’ from talking and writing in the Russian language

A new law in Russia, set to take effect this week, bans individuals labeled as "foreign agents" from engaging in educational activities in the Russian language. Violators face fines and prison. According to Estonian expert Aimar Ventsel on Vikerraadio, this effectively declares language to be the property of the Russian state.

The term "foreign agent" first appeared in a law passed over a decade ago. Initially aimed at organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad and involved in vaguely defined "political activities," the law has evolved into a powerful tool to silence critics. Early on, even a crane conservation group was branded as a foreign agent, highlighting how arbitrary the label was.

Over time, the law expanded. „Foreign agents” were barred from applying for state grants — a critical blow, given many non-state organizations rely on such funding. Eventually, the law extended to individuals, forcing them to declare their status publicly, even on social media posts.

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine brought further crackdowns. „Foreign agents” were banned from speaking or teaching in state institutions. Now, the new law takes this further — criminalizing educational activities in Russian entirely for foreign agents. This covers writing, public speaking, lectures, and even social media posts. Violators face fines and prison. Organizations that let foreign agents participate also face punishment.

Additionally, „foreign agents” can no longer earn money from book sales or sell their real estate property in Russia without navigating near-impossible financial restrictions. This hits exiled academics and cultural figures particularly hard, preventing them from funding their lives abroad.

On a deeper level, Ventsel notes that this law essentially turns the Russian language into state property, strictly controlling who can use it and how — a move with profound cultural and political implications.