Russian Regional Authorities Implement Strict Filming Bans to Protect Military Secrets During Ukrainian Attacks
Russian regional authorities are increasingly banning the filming and publication of drone strikes, air defense activities, and the aftermath of military attacks to prevent revealing strategic information to the enemy. Under a decree signed by governor Andrei Chibis, the Murmansk region now prohibits residents from publishing photos, videos, or text posts regarding military activity, including the launch locations, flight paths, and damage to critical infrastructure like bridges and ports. While there is no single federal law, individual regions are imposing these restrictions to ensure that geolocation data does not reveal the point of impact or the effectiveness of range and systems. Violators are being monitored by regional agencies and can face fines reaching up to 1 million rubles. In several regions, residents have already been detained and required to perform on-camera apologies for filming strikes without permission. These measures aim to secure military secrets while allowing official state bodies to remain the primary source of verified information.