Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that prohibits the denial of the "genocide of the Soviet people" during the Great Patriotic War. The penalty provides for up to five years in prison.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that provides for criminal liability for denying or approving the "genocide of the Soviet people" committed by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War. Penalties are also provided for desecrating the memory of the victims of this "genocide". At the end of March, the law was adopted by the State Duma in the second and third readings.
Fine, forced labor or imprisonment
Amendments are being made to Article 354.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia on "rehabilitation of Nazism": for denying the "genocide of the Soviet people" or approving it, as well as for desecrating the memory of the victims of such a crime, a fine of up to 3 million rubles, forced labor or imprisonment for a term of up to three years is imposed.
In addition, Article 243.4 of the Criminal Code on "desecration of military cemeteries" is being supplemented: for "destruction, damage or desecration" on cemeteries of victims of the "genocide of the Soviet people" located on the territory of Russia or abroad, as well as on monuments and other memorial sites perpetuating their memory, is punishable by a fine of up to 5 million rubles, forced labor for a term of up to five years, or imprisonment for the same period.
The concept of "genocide of the Soviet people" was officially introduced with the law of the same name, which entered into force on January 1, 2026. According to this law, genocide is recognized as "the actions of the Nazis and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), aimed at the complete or partial destruction of national, ethnic and racial groups inhabiting the territory of the USSR".
Penalties also for comparing the USSR with Nazi Germany
From 2022, Russia will also provide for penalties for the "public equating" of the goals and actions of the USSR with those of Nazi Germany, as well as for denying the "decisive role" and "humanitarian mission" of the USSR in World War II.
Violators are subject to a fine of up to 2,000 rubles or arrest for 15 days. For officials, the fine is up to 4,000 rubles, and for legal entities - up to 50,000 rubles. In case of a repeated violation, the fines increase significantly. In addition, officials are threatened with removal from office for a period of up to one year, and legal entities - with administrative suspension of activities for a period of up to 90 days.