- Category
- Latest news
Putin Expands State Secrets to Cover Economy, Science, and Mobilization Plans
- Authors
![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has significantly broadened the scope of what is now considered state secrets, Bloomberg reported on June 29, citing a decree published on Russia’s official government portal.
The newly classified categories now include information related to Russia’s foreign policy, international trade, economic strategy, scientific research, and preparations for potential military mobilization.
Under the updated rules, anyone found guilty of disclosing information deemed harmful to national security could face up to eight years in prison.
“This is the destruction of expertise on the Russian economy based on facts and statistics and will lead to more repression,” said Andrei Soldatov, an expert on Russia’s security services.
He added that the move to classify mobilization-related information was likely “a reaction to Ukrainian drone attacks, because this is classifying details like bunkers and underground government relocation plans,” rather than an indication of preparations for a new wave of military conscription.
On June 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the sharp increase in defense spending by NATO countries will have catastrophic consequences for the Alliance itself.
