Russia’s Information Blackout: New Law Conceals War and Economic Data
In a significant move to tighten control, Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a new law expanding the scope of state secrets. This legislation now classifies information related to foreign policy, international trade, economic policy, scientific developments, and mobilization preparations, effectively drawing a curtain over critical data during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Escalating Information Control
Since the war’s inception, the Kremlin has progressively restricted public access to various statistical reports, including budget figures, oil production data, and military casualties. This new law builds upon existing measures, such as the "fake news" law, which has been used to suppress dissent and imprison journalists, activists, and social media users for criticizing the military.
Implications of the New Law
- Increased Repression: Experts, like Andrei Soldatov, a specialist in Russia’s security services, warn that this law signifies "the destruction of expertise on the Russian economy based on facts and statistics and will lead to more repression." Unauthorized access to classified materials now carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.
- Economic Opacity: The classification of economic data will further obscure the true state of the Russian economy. This comes despite recent acknowledgments from Putin himself about the need to avoid recession, amidst warnings from economists about potential economic overheating.
- Mobilization Secrecy: The classification of mobilization information is seen by some as a response to external threats, such as Ukrainian drone attacks on government facilities, rather than a direct precursor to a new draft. However, it effectively prevents any public scrutiny or understanding of potential future mobilization efforts.
- Strategic Advantage: By concealing information about its capabilities, Russia aims to deny adversaries valuable intelligence that could be used in defense planning or combat operations.
Key Takeaways
- The new law significantly broadens the categories of information considered state secrets in Russia.
- It further restricts public access to crucial data on the war, economy, and mobilization.
- The legislation is expected to lead to increased repression and a greater information blackout within Russia.
- The move is seen as an attempt to control narratives and deny adversaries strategic intelligence.
Economic Landscape and International Relations
Despite Western pressure, Russia continues to seek economic and military support from countries like Iran, China, and North Korea. Furthermore, rising oil prices, potentially influenced by conflicts such as the Israeli-Iranian war, may provide Russia with significant profits. Interestingly, Putin announced on June 27 that Russia plans to reduce military spending starting next year, a statement that contrasts with the ongoing efforts to conceal war-related data.