Original Russian-language document. Criminal Code (УК РФ), Ch. 29, Art. 275.1 (“Сотрудничество на конфиденциальной основе с иностранным государством”). Introduced by Federal Law No. 260-FZ of 14 July 2022; current redaction. Retrieved 19 July 2026; verify wording against the official publication at pravo.gov.ru. Part of the TOT Insights collection of Russian federal security-law provisions used to police collaboration, information-sharing and dissent in the occupied territories.
Article 275.1, introduced by Federal Law No. 260-FZ (14 July 2022), criminalises the mere “establishment and maintenance” of a confidential-basis relationship with a representative of a foreign state or organisation for the purpose of assisting activity directed against Russian security — where the conduct falls short of treason, espionage or aiding the enemy. It carries 3 to 8 years. The threshold is deliberately low: no transfer of secret information is required. Crucially it reaches both Russian citizens and foreign citizens or stateless persons present on Russian territory, so it applies to occupied-territory residents whatever their passport status. It is the residual charge that closes the gaps left by Articles 275, 276 and 276.1.
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Article 275.1 — Confidential Cooperation
The establishment and maintenance, by a citizen of the Russian Federation or by a foreign citizen or stateless person present on the territory of the Russian Federation, of a relationship of cooperation on a confidential basis with a representative of a foreign state or an international or foreign organisation, for the purpose of assisting them in activity knowingly directed against the security of the Russian Federation (in the absence of the elements of the offences in Articles 275, 276 and 276.1), —
shall be punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of three to eight years, with a fine of up to 1,000,000 roubles (or the convicted person’s income for up to three years) or without such a fine, and with restriction of liberty for up to two years or without it.
Note. A person is exempted from liability if they voluntarily and in a timely manner reported the relationship to the authorities, took no action to carry out the task received, and provided their actions contain no other elements of an offence.
Relevance to coercion in the occupied territories
The catch-all. Where contact with a Ukrainian or foreign body falls short of treason or espionage, this article still criminalises simply “establishing and maintaining” a confidential relationship intended to assist activity against Russian security. The threshold is deliberately low, and no transfer of secret information is required. It covers both Russian citizens and foreign citizens or stateless persons on Russian territory, so it reaches occupied-territory residents whichever passport status they hold. It is the residual charge that closes the gaps left by Articles 275, 276 and 276.1.