Foreigners in Russia Now Required to Keep Location Tracking On—Here Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance.

Russia Tightens Surveillance on Foreign Nationals with New Mandatory Tracking Rules

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service has reported that Russia is rolling out compulsory location-tracking devices to monitor foreigners, signaling that the country's security agencies already have the infrastructure in place for mass surveillance. As of now, all foreign nationals inside Russia must keep their geolocation services active at all times. If the tracking app fails to transmit coordinates for three consecutive days, the individual is automatically added to a registry of monitored persons.

Failing to comply with these requirements can lead to severe consequences, including:

• freezing of bank cards;
• a ban on all financial transactions;
• deportation.

Tax authorities are now required to report migrants' earnings every three months. Migrants themselves must also file annual income declarations. If their work period is too short or their income falls below the subsistence minimum, their residency permit may be revoked.

Additionally, migrants are given only 15 days to gather their belongings and leave the country. Meanwhile, Russia's National Guard has drafted changes to civil defense protocols for actions during mobilization and martial law. According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service,

“the consequences are swift and brutal: blocked bank cards, a ban on any financial operations, and inevitable deportation.”

Growing Tensions in International Relations

The introduction of these stringent monitoring rules for foreigners reflects a broader trend of tightening state control and restricting human rights within Russia. Forcing individuals to use tracking technology could lead to a rise in deportations and violations of the rights of people residing in the country. It also underscores the escalating friction between Russia and other nations, as such actions are likely to be viewed as discriminatory and repressive.