Praise for Krasnodar's Adherence to the Russian Language by Volodin
In a significant move towards preserving the Russian language and culture, Krasnodar has taken the lead in implementing the new federal law on the protection of the Russian language. This law, signed by President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2025, aims to ensure the primacy of Russian in public spaces and businesses.
The law, effective from March 1, 2026, mandates that store signs, public notices, and advertisements must primarily display text in Russian. While other languages can still be used, the Russian text must be shown with the same font, size, and color. Notably, advertisements and registered brand names are exempt from these requirements. Violations of the law could result in fines for small and medium-sized businesses, ranging from 500 to 10,000 rubles (around $6.50–$128).
Initially, the draft proposed stricter measures, including banning Anglicisms and requiring all consumer-facing information to be only in Russian. However, following criticism from businesses and officials, the final law was significantly watered down. The law also mandates that new residential complexes and construction projects use only Cyrillic script for their names.
Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, has praised Krasnodar for its efforts in implementing the new law. In a recent Telegram post, Volodin expressed a desire for Russian citizens to feel a sense of belonging in Russian cities, stating that everyone who opens a business in Russia should respect the Russian language and culture.
Business owners in Krasnodar, Yaroslavl, and Magnitogorsk have already started replacing foreign signage, demonstrating their respect for the Russian language and culture. This move strengthens national identity in Russian cities, according to Volodin. He believes that this approach expresses respect for the Russian language and culture from the business community.
While the nationwide enforcement of the law is scheduled to begin in March 2026, Krasnodar is being recognised as one of the cities that have already started the implementation process. This initiative by Krasnodar is commendable, and it is expected that other cities will follow suit, ensuring the preservation of the Russian language and culture in public spaces and businesses across the country.
The new federal law on the protection of the Russian language, signed by President Vladimir Putin, will be effectively enforced in Krasnodar from March 1, 2026. Under this law, store signs, public notices, and advertisements must primarily display text in Russian, with other languages allowed but with equivalent prominence. This policy-and-legislation change is significant in the realm of politics and general-news, as it aims to strengthen national identity and the preservation of Russian language and culture in public spaces and businesses.
