FSB Has Taken  Control of Science in russia

On September 1, 2025, a law on the FSB’s control over international scientific cooperation came into force in the rf. All civilian research, including that involving foreign scientists or organizations, must now be approved by the security service.

There is growing concern in russian scientific circles: any publication in a foreign journal could be interpreted as “transferring information to a foreign state”. Scientists speak of increasing self-censorship and paranoia in international contacts due to the uncertainty of the rules. The law has effectively turned russian science into another area of the FSB’s total control.

At the same time, the ministry of defense, the ministry of foreign affairs, the russian guard, the ministry of emergency situations, and the federal medical and biological agency have ensured that their projects are excluded from the unified database controlled by the FSB. Thus, only civilian research—by philologists, economists, doctors, and other scientists—has come under surveillance.

Previously, the FSB received permission to establish its own centers for holding suspects until trial, which significantly strengthens the agency’s autonomy in investigations related to national security, espionage, or terrorism, and can be used for political repression.

Besides, foreign ships have recently been allowed to enter russian ports only with the permission from the FSB.

In general, in 2025, the FSB is focusing on expanding control within russia (internal repression, imprisonment) and creating threats to other countries, “friendly” ones included (sabotage, disinformation, etc.).