State Duma

Boris Nadezhdin, a Putin critic and opposition politician, left Russia after being barred from running in parliamentary elections due to a 'foreign agent' designation and fines for 'extremist symbols.' He stated he is 'alive and free' in Paris, vowing to 'figure out life going forward' outside Russia.

Boris Nadezhdin, an opposition politician who criticized Russia's war in Ukraine and sought to challenge President Vladimir Putin, left Russia after being barred from running in parliamentary elections. He was fined for displaying extremist symbols and labeled a foreign agent, disqualifying him from the September vote. Nadezhdin now resides in Paris, stating he is 'alive and free' but not in Russia.

The Election Commission has approved Yabloko to field pro-peace candidates in the State Duma elections. Nikolai Ryabkov stated this allows Russians to vote for peace and freedom, promoting a legal pathway for ceasefire advocacy.

Russia’s State Duma has approved state-funded fertility treatment for women whose husbands died fighting in Ukraine. Eligible widows may receive IVF or artificial insemination for five years after their spouse’s death, provided they do not remarry.

The Russian State Duma has passed 'Civic Death' bills that restrict exiled critics from accessing banking and consular services, with rights advocates warning the legislation extends the government's ability to punish dissent beyond its borders.

The Russian parliament passed a law to regulate the crypto market, establishing a framework for participants. The legislation now awaits President Vladimir Putin's signature to become law.

Russia is advancing legislation to combat crypto fraud through the State Duma, aiming to regulate international cryptocurrency transactions while addressing illegal use. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged Russia's competitive advantages in crypto mining and emphasized the irrevocable nature of Bitcoin, as lawmakers work to establish a legal framework for digital assets.

The State Duma is expected to vote on an updated bill that would restrict exiled critics from accessing banking and property services. A milder version of the bill, including asset freezes and denial of consular services, was previously passed in its first reading last December.

Russia’s State Duma is set to consider the crypto regulation bill in second and third readings. The bill includes provisions for investors and cross-border payments.

Boris Nadezhdin, a critic of Russia's military action in Ukraine, was convicted of displaying extremist symbols, preventing him from running in the parliamentary election. The conviction relates to a 2023 video showing an image of Alexei Navalny, who died in 2024 while imprisoned under politically motivated charges.

Boris Nadezhdin, a critic of Russia's military action in Ukraine, was convicted of displaying extremist symbols in a 2023 video featuring Alexei Navalny, barring him from the 2024 parliamentary race. Authorities have used legal measures to prevent his political campaigns, including labeling him a 'foreign agent' and disqualifying his presidential bid earlier in 2024.

State Duma lawmaker Nina Ostanina claimed a domestic violence law would discourage men from marrying, prompting criticism from women on social media.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged the bodies of over 530 fallen soldiers, with Ukraine receiving 501 of its soldiers' remains and providing Russia with 31. The exchange was reported by Shamsail Saraliyev, a State Duma lawmaker, to RBC.

Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war politician, has been designated a 'foreign agent' in Russia, which prohibits him from running for office. This occurred after he submitted documents to run for the State Duma in September.

The State Duma passed a bill delaying VAT tax hikes for small businesses under Russia’s simplified tax system. Small businesses will only pay the national value-added tax if their revenue exceeds $260,000.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged remains of over 550 fallen soldiers, with Ukraine receiving 522 bodies and Russia 33, according to State Duma member Shamsail Saraliyev.

President Zelensky has declassified intercepted Russian intelligence forecasts showing rising public disapproval of Vladimir Putin ahead of the September 20 State Duma elections, with projections indicating 33% disapproval and declining support for the United Russia party. The documents suggest growing regional protest sentiment as the Kremlin faces a domestic crisis.

Russian lawmakers have passed amendments banning the sale and online promotion of unlicensed foreign satellite terminals, targeting systems like Starlink. Officials claim the move addresses security risks and supports domestic satellite projects, with marketplaces removing listings and Russian firms developing competing low-orbit constellations.

Sberbank plans to offer crypto trading services once Russian regulations and exchange trading frameworks are established. The Bank of Russia classifies cryptocurrencies as high-risk, but a proposed 2025 regulation allows qualified and non-qualified investors to trade digital assets, with domestic payments still prohibited. A crypto legislation bill passed its first reading in Russia’s State Duma, aiming to establish a licensed intermediary system for digital currencies by July 2026.

Russia's State Duma approved a draft bill to regulate digital currencies, classifying crypto as property and allowing its use in foreign trade while banning domestic payments. The legislation establishes a licensing framework for market participants under the Bank of Russia's oversight, with implementation starting in 2026.