Russia’s Justice Ministry published an order on November 2 clarifying reporting rules for people and organizations on the “foreign agents” register. Federal Law No. 215-FZ of June 26, 2026, which took effect on September 1, now expressly requires notifications even when previously submitted information has not changed. A notice must be submitted even if there has been no change during the reporting period.
The disclosures concern activities, employees and members, sources of funding and ongoing programs. Since October 1, documents have had to be filed electronically through an online account. The ministry’s official guidance also describes notifications under Article 9(8) of Law No. 255-FZ.
The requirement was challenged before it was expressly written into the law. According to The Insider’s account, the Institute for Law and Public Policy and its director Olga Sidorovich sued, arguing that the ministry was imposing an additional duty. The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit on November 11, 2025, and an appeals panel upheld the decision in February 2026. The amendment clarified the wording of the obligation without removing the need for regular notifications.