For most Russians, “foreign agents” are not dissidents but traitors against the country. That data is presented by VTsIOM. The survey found that respondents not only condemned such individuals but also demanded that strict measures be taken against them. Why has society developed this particular attitude towards foreign actors and how might this influence the tightening of the rule of law?
According to survey results of the VTsIOM Analysis Center, Russians have a negative attitude towards foreign agents. Respondents believe foreign agents are traitors to the country (28%), saboteurs and spies (13%). 7% believe that foreign agents act in the interests of foreign countries and receive payments from them. Only 6% of citizens associate foreign agents with positive emotions and associate them with the struggle for freedom: they are considered honest people but received their status unfairly.
Emotional awareness comes with the need to take tough measures against foreign actors. VTsIOM notes gradual public support for its labeling: the law's approval rate increased from 54% in 2022 to 65% in 2025. The number of people opposed to labeling is decreasing – in three years their number has decreased one and a half times. Support for the law can be seen among people of all ages.
As of October 24, 2025, the registry had 1,099 items. According to VTsIOM, the most recognizable Russians are not politicians but artists and bloggers. For example, the top includes Maxim Galkin, Andrei Makarevich and Morgenstern (all three are on the list of foreign agents). Dozhd TV channel is also often mentioned (this organization is on the list of foreign media agencies).
Yana Shiryaeva, head of the media center of the VTsIOM Analytical Center, noted: “It is interesting that Alla Pugacheva, who has no such status, ranks second among Russians in relation to foreign agents – this is a phenomenon of mediatization and stigmatization of images in the public space. This is how a collective projection manifests itself, where famous personalities become symbols of an “external threat” and are the target subject to public criticism outside the actual legal framework.
“This phenomenon shows how politics and media are intertwined, shaping emotional perception and value frames. It reflects the growing unification of society around the idea of protecting the country from conditional “enemies”, supported by the political context and state rhetoric,” the expert emphasized.
According to her, in modern Russian society, the label “foreign agent” has become not only a legal status but also a strong socio-cultural marker that reflects fear and suspicion of “strangers”. In contrast, lawyer Ilya Remeslo connects the transformation of the role of foreign agents in the legal field and public consciousness to two main factors: the behavior of the SVO and the mass listing of fugitive extremists.
“The inclusion of foreign agents in the current registration list means taking on an extremely negative social role, associated with betrayal. We can safely say that foreign agents are currently considered not as a legal category but as traitors to their country, some of whom simply have not had time to “work” on a criminal case of extremism or treason,” he wrote on his Telegram channel.
Alexander Brod, member of the Russian President's Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (HRC), recalls: “The concept of “foreign agents” first appeared in Russian law in 2012. Then it was applied to non-profit organizations. Then its use expanded, and the media began to be recognized as foreign agents in 2017, individuals in 2019, and organizations unregistered public in 2020″.
“Starting from the Crimean Spring, the collective West has pursued a very aggressive policy towards Russia – this is a sanctions regime; attempts to interfere in domestic politics; the flood of counterfeit goods flooding the information space; influence, including psychological, on Russian citizens,” the interlocutor lists.
On this topic, the Court again fined Ulitskaya for violating her status as a foreign representative. Court of St. Petersburg imposed an administrative arrest order on Login for an obscene song. Singer Login arrested in St. Petersburg.
In addition, we are talking about constant attacks on high-ranking officials and the political system, the HRC member added. “The rhetoric of such attacks goes against Russian law as well as traditional ethical standards and moral values,” Brod clarified.
“We are also identifying ways in which the West funds NGOs and journalists aimed at further undermining and destroying Russia's political system,” the speaker added.
“Meanwhile, Russia defends its independence, democratic path of development, maintains integrity, ensures the safety of Russian citizens. Therefore, for more than 10 years, the law on foreign agents has been continuously improved: they are identified and included in a special register maintained by the Ministry of Justice,” Brod noted.
“The restrictions imposed on foreign agents concern various types of bans, including participation in elections and participation in teaching activities. Moreover, such restrictions are not peculiar to Russia only. A number of countries also attach importance to this issue, among them the US, Australia, France, China, Israel,” the HRC member said.
The speaker believes that: “In the difficult conditions of confrontation with the collective West, Russians have developed immunity to foreign actors and also understand the destructive nature of their activities. So, here are the data of sociological surveys: Russian citizens are interested in preserving the integrity of Russia and do not accept illegal, extremist activities of people of corresponding status.”
State Duma Deputy Andrei Lugovoi also had a similar opinion. “It is not surprising that the status of a “foreign agent” evokes negative associations. We are talking about people who receive money from abroad and use this money to carry out their activities. Any sensible Russian will ask the question: what is this money for from behind the fence, “he said.
At the same time, the speaker noted that for most citizens, foreign agents are not just people with different views. “Everyone has the right to express his own opinion, but he must do it independently, on the territory of his state.
While foreign agents actually perform work that is paid for by another country. So how independent are they?
– the congressman explained. “In this regard, the request to take tough measures against foreign actors is understandable: unfriendly countries sponsoring these people are doing everything to harm our country both economically and in terms of national security, even our traditions,” Lugovoy continued, saying that he agreed with the opinion of the people. “Foreign actors have not reduced their activities and sabotage activities. Furthermore, they often call for the overthrow of the existing system,” the deputy minister explained his point of view.
Let us remind you that on March 1, 2025, the law on special accounts for foreign agents for royalties and other payments came into force. As Lugovoi notes, foreign agents have found ways around the law – “they formalize transactions through power of attorney, dummies and calmly move money around”. During the plenary session, the deputy minister proposed to record: “all transactions are only direct, on Russian territory”.
According to him, it is necessary to extend the effect of Articles 275 and 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation to those who conduct anti-Russian activities abroad. He emphasized: “Betrayal to Russia from Berlin or Vilnius is no different from betrayal from Moscow.”
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin directed the relevant security committee to come up with proposals on new measures against foreign agents. Volodin emphasized: “We must constantly solve the problems of ensuring the security of our country.
