Putin Tightens State Secrets: Russia’s Economic and Scientific Data Now Under Even Stricter Control
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that significantly broadens the list of information classified as state secrets. This move intensifies Kremlin’s control over society amid ongoing military operations in Ukraine. According to Bloomberg and an official Kremlin document, the classification now extends beyond traditional military and intelligence data to include details related to foreign policy, international economics, scientific research, and mobilization plans. The decree explicitly states that any disclosure of such information, which could threaten national security, will be punishable by up to eight years in prison or substantial fines. Security expert Andriy Soldatov remarks that these measures effectively eliminate the possibility of independent analysis of Russia’s economic health based on open sources and statistical data. He suggests that the real motive might be not only to conceal mobilization plans but also to hide movements within government agencies, underground bunkers, and critical infrastructure vulnerable to attack. Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has already restricted access to numerous economic indicators, including budget reports, oil production statistics, and military casualty figures. After starting its invasion, the Kremlin ramped up repression against media and citizens, passing laws criminalizing the dissemination of “fake news” about the military, which is actively used to suppress dissent on social media platforms. These new restrictions further restrict unauthorized information activities and aim to conceal the true state of affairs within the country from the public.