In 2026, a series of decisions will take effect in Russia, expanding state control across a wide range of areas. They include new restrictions on film distribution and streaming platforms, rules on the use of foreign words in public space, changes in taxation, education, military registration and financial monitoring.
From March 1, 2026, the Culture Ministry will no longer be able to issue distribution certificates to films that, under the new amendments, discredit “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” or promote their rejection. The same amendments will require streaming services to monitor such content and restrict access to it at Roskomnadzor’s request. On the same day, a rule on labeling materials that mention narcotic substances will also come into force.
Also in March, the law on protecting the Russian language from excessive use of loanwords will take effect: signs, pointers and store notices must be written in Russian, while any foreign-language version, if used, must be less prominent. At the same time, the personal income tax rate for designated “foreign agents” will rise to 30%, and their right to tax benefits and deductions will be removed. State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said that those who “betrayed our country” should not receive tax breaks.
From January 1, draft offices will be allowed to send summonses, conduct medical examinations and hold draft commission meetings throughout the year. Actual conscription for service will still take place during the usual periods: from April 1 to July 15 and from October 1 to December 31. Participants in the “special military operation” are to receive tax breaks, including exemptions from some property and transport taxes and additional land-tax deductions. A new social contract worth 350,000 rubles will also be introduced for demobilized participants from families whose income is below the regional subsistence minimum.
VAT will increase to 22%, while the reduced 10% rate for socially important goods will remain in place. Starting with the 2026–2027 academic year, universities will abandon the Bologna system and switch to a model of basic higher education lasting four to six years, followed by one to three years of specialist training. In a statement, the Education and Science Ministry said the length of study would depend on the specialty and the time needed for proper training.
From March 1, 2026, graduates of medical universities will be required to work for three years in the state healthcare system or face fines, which in Moscow may reach 20 million rubles. For those who go to work in the occupied territories, the mandatory term will be cut in half. From September 2026, the Education and Science Ministry will limit the number of paid places in a range of bachelor’s and specialist programs, and universities will not be allowed to open fee-paying enrollment if the average Unified State Exam score in that field the previous year was below 50.
Supervisory agencies will gain access to data on civilian drone flights through the ERA-GLONASS system, while the FSB will receive the authority to set detention and escort rules for suspects and defendants in cases involving treason, espionage, terrorism and extremism. The minimum wage will rise to 27,093 rubles, and the subsistence minimum to 18,939 rubles. Self-employed people will gain the right to paid sick leave if they pay insurance contributions, and Rosfinmonitoring will be able to obtain data on transfers made via the Faster Payments System, Mir cards and the unified QR code without first requesting it from banks. Management companies will also be required to communicate with residents through the MAX messenger, except in Moscow.