Russian Duma approves fines for obscuring crosses in images

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The State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation has recommended the first reading approval of a bill that introduces administrative liability for depicting religious buildings without their traditional symbols. The maximum fine for legal entities could reach 300,000 rubles, according to TASS.

The initiative was prepared by a group of lawmakers led by Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova. The document proposes corresponding amendments to the Russian Code of Administrative Offences.

Under the draft law, citizens who publish or distribute images of religious buildings without the required symbols will face fines ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 rubles or up to 120 hours of community service. For officials, the fine will be between 50,000 and 100,000 rubles, and for organizations, it will range from 100,000 to 300,000 rubles.

Additionally, the bill sets an extended period of administrative liability - up to one year from the date of the violation.

The authors of the initiative argue that the need for sanctions arises from ongoing cases of using images of churches and other religious buildings without religious signs, despite the existing ban. It is worth noting that the law prohibiting such depiction of religious buildings, including in advertising and mass media, came into force in the summer of 2025.

The developers of the bill emphasize that the new measures are aimed at strengthening legal protection for the feelings of believers and preventing further violations in this area.