On 30 January 2026, Russian independent media outlet Novaya Vkladka was designated as a “foreign agent”. Russia’s Ministry of Justice claimed that the outlet spread what Russian authorities claim is”fake news” about the war in Ukraine, materials created by other “foreign agents”, as well as “false information” about Russian authorities.
Active mainly on social media, Novaya Vkladka operates from exile, publishing stories from Russian regions and targeting mainly young audiences.
Initially adopted in 2012, Russia’s law on foreign agents has been revised several times over the past decade to include an ever-wider range of potential targets for state-sponsored discrimination. Currently, any organization, media or private individual can be designated as such simply by being declared to be “under foreign influence” by the Russian Ministry of Justice or because of receiving funds of any amount from abroad (or from an entity itself receiving foreign funds). “Foreign agents” are barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors and providing expertise on environmental issues, among multiple other restrictions.