Russian authorities have taken a drastic step towards restricting public discussions on non-classified military matters, sparking concerns about transparency and free speech. The 60-point Federal Security Service (FSB) order, effective December 1st, lists information that can be used against Russia's security by foreign states, organizations, and citizens.
The FSB list prohibits the public discussion of various topics, including the structure and size of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as troop deployments, training, morale, and crimes committed by members of the military. Mobilization and civil defense topics are also off-limits, along with assessments and forecasts of Russia's military and strategic situation.
The ban on discussing non-classified information is a significant blow to transparency, making it difficult for citizens to stay informed about important issues affecting national security. The FSB list mirrors last year's ban on sharing non-classified information in Russia's defense and space industries, which was revised recently to include details about the transportation of military personnel and ongoing military construction.
Sergei Krivenko, head of the Moscow-based NGO Citizen, Army & the Law, expressed concerns about the impact of this ban. "The purpose of the updated law with the FSB list is to make sure we don't see anything," he said. Those who share the information publicly risk being labeled "foreign agents," a designation that comes with strict rules and restrictions.
Pavel Chikov, a prominent human rights lawyer, sought to downplay concerns about the ban, suggesting that the FSB is unlikely to start labeling people indiscriminately as "foreign agents." However, others believe that this law could be used to silence anyone who discusses Russia's military strategy or troop morale.
The expansion of Russia's "foreign agent" law also raises concerns. As Alexander Peredruk, a lawyer representing several "foreign agents," noted, "To be branded a foreign agent nowadays, you don’t even need foreign funding, foreign influence is enough."