Taking videos and photos has become an integral part of everyday life: we record important moments, document incidents, and share footage on social networks. However, in Russia there is a whole set of laws that restrict the right to film in certain places and situations. Violation of these rules can result not only in conflict with security or passers-by, but also in serious fines, and in some cases even criminal liability.

In 2026, legislation in this area underwent a number of changes: sanctions for filming in the zone of military facilities were tightened, the list of “closed” territories was expanded, and new nuances appeared related to the use of drones and CCTV cameras. In this article we will look at where it is strictly forbidden to film, what laws govern this area, and how to behave if you are accused of violating the rules.

What laws govern the ban on filming in Russia?

Issues of restricting filming are regulated by several regulations, and their effect applies to both individuals and legal entities (for example, the media or video surveillance operators). Main documents:

  • 📜 Constitution of the Russian Federation (Article 29) - guarantees freedom of thought and speech, but with a caveat: the exercise of this right must not violate the rights of others.
  • 📜 Civil Code (Article 152.1) — protects the right to privacy, including the prohibition on the distribution of photos/videos without consent.
  • 📜 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Article 20.1, 20.2, 20.23) — provides for fines for filming in prohibited places (for example, in the subway or at rallies).
  • 📜 Criminal Code (Articles 137, 138, 275, 276) - punishes for filming related to state secrets or violation of the secrecy of correspondence.
  • 📜 Federal Law No. 149-FZ — regulates the processing of personal data, including video with facial recognition.

It is important to understand that prohibitions are divided into two types:

  1. Absolute — filming is always prohibited (for example, in judges’ offices or at FSB facilities).
  2. Conditional — filming is possible subject to certain rules (for example, in a museum - with the permission of the administration).

Moreover, even if you are filming in a “permitted” place, but people appear in the frame without their consent, this may become the basis for a claim for the protection of honor and dignity (Article 152 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

📊 Have you ever encountered a ban on filming?
Yes, in a public place
Yes, on private property
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Where it is strictly forbidden to film: complete list of places

The list of territories where filming is prohibited by law is more extensive than it seems at first glance. Many people mistakenly think that restrictions only apply to military installations, but in fact the “prohibited zone” includes:

Territory type Examples Reason for the ban Fine/punishment
Military and strategic facilities Military units, training grounds, defense industry plants, border zones Law "On State Secrets" (No. 5485-1) Up to 1 million rubles or imprisonment for up to 4 years (Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)
Objects of the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Guard Office buildings, pre-trial detention centers, colonies Federal Law "On the Federal Security Service" (Article 12) Fine up to 500 thousand rubles or arrest for up to 3 months
Closed administrative zones Judges' offices, meeting rooms (without permission) Federal Law "On the Judicial System" (Article 10) Fine up to 2 thousand ₽ (Article 17.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation)
Transport infrastructure Metro (tunnels, depots), airports (security zone), train stations Orders of the Ministry of Transport and local acts Fine up to 5 thousand rubles or administrative arrest
Private property Courtyards of apartment buildings, areas of enterprises Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Article 209) - the owner’s right to limit filming Claim for compensation for moral damage (up to 500 thousand rubles)

Particular attention is paid to filming with drones in 2026: on March 1, new rules came into force requiring the registration of drones weighing 150 g or more and obtaining permission to fly in the area of airfields, military facilities and environmental areas.

In addition, filming is prohibited:

  • 🚨 Persons at the time of police arrest (if this interferes with official activities - Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
  • 🏥 Patients in medical institutions without consent (Federal Law “On the Fundamentals of Health Protection”).
  • 👮 Law enforcement officers when performing their official duties (if this is not a public event).
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If you are stopped for filming on the subway or at a train station, politely ask to see a document confirming the prohibition. Often security guards refer to “internal orders”, which have no legal force unless published.

Filming in public places: what is allowed and what is not

Public places are a gray area where filming rules are often interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, the Constitution guarantees freedom of information, on the other, the Civil Code protects the right to privacy. Where is the line?

It is allowed to film without consent:

  • 🌆 Architectural structures (if they are visible from a publicly accessible area).
  • 🚶 Mass events (concerts, festivals), where people are aware of the possibility of getting into the frame.
  • 📱 Own actions (for example, recording communications with the police).

Prohibited or requires consent:

  • 👤 Specific people nearby (Portrait photography without permission is a violation of Article 152.1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).
  • 🏢 Inside buildings (shops, banks, offices) - owners have the right to prohibit filming.
  • 💳 Personal data (car numbers, documents, bank cards).

The issue of filming is especially acute. police officers. According to paragraph 4 of Art. 5 of the Federal Law "On Police", citizens are allowed to record the actions of law enforcement officers, if it does not interfere with the performance of official duties. However, in practice, police often cite a “security threat” and demand that the recording be deleted. In such cases:

  1. Don't delete the video right away - offer to show it on the spot.
  2. If they insist on deletion, ask for a protocol to be drawn up.
  3. If you are detained, ask to call a lawyer.
What to do if you are forced to delete a video?

If you erased the recording under pressure, but believe that you acted legally, you can appeal the actions of the police to the prosecutor's office or court. The main thing is to record the circumstances (for example, record the conversation on a voice recorder or attract witnesses).

Fines and liability for violating the ban on filming

The size of the penalty depends on the severity of the violation and the status of the subject of filming. Here are the key sanctions relevant for 2026:

Violation Article of law Fine/punishment
Filming in the subway or at a train station Art. 20.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation 1–5 thousand rubles or arrest for up to 15 days
Filming a military facility Art. 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation Fine up to 1 million rubles or imprisonment for up to 4 years
Distribution of photos/videos without consent Art. 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation Fine up to 350 thousand rubles or compulsory work
Filming in court without permission Art. 17.3 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation 1–2.5 thousand ₽
Using a drone without registration Art. 11.4 VZK RF 3–5 thousand ₽ (for individuals)

In addition to fines, violators may:

  • 🔫 Confiscate equipment (if the shooting is related to state secrets).
  • 📵 Delete entries at the request of the court.
  • 🚔 Open an administrative case followed by verification.

The most risky areas for filming:

  1. Border zone (width - up to 5 km from the border). The FSB control regime is in effect here, and any filming can be regarded as espionage.
  2. Critical infrastructure facilities (power plants, gas pipelines). For fixing such objects they can be charged under Art. 207.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("knowingly false report of terrorism").
  3. Closed administrative territories (for example, city But - closed administrative-territorial entities).
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Even if you are photographing an “innocent” landscape, if a military object or border sign appears in the frame, this may be classified as a violation. Always check the area through the public cadastral map (rosreestr.gov.ru).

How to legally record incidents and conflicts

Filming incidents (road accidents, fights, arrests) often becomes the only evidence in court. However, for a record to have legal force, it must be done correctly:

Shoot from a safe distance without interfering with the situation|

Record time and place (include geotags and timestamps)|

Do not edit the video (the original must be continuous)|

Record participants' remarks (if they are relevant)|

Keep the original file (no compression or editing)

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If you witnessed Road accident, your footage may help identify the culprit. The main thing is do not violate traffic rules (for example, stopping in the middle of the road) and do not interfere with the actions of traffic police officers. Optimal algorithm:

  1. Stop in an authorized place (on the side of the road or in a parking lot).
  2. Take a general plan of the scene of the incident (markings, signs, position of cars).
  3. Record vehicle license plates and driver identification.
  4. If there are victims, call an ambulance and do not touch them (so as not to lose tracks).

When shooting conflicts (for example, a fight or scandal) remember:

  • 🎥 Don't get close to the aggressor - your safety is more important than evidence.
  • 🗣️ Don't comment on what's happening - your words may be interpreted as incitement.
  • 📱 Turn on audio recording - this will help to establish who first started the conflict.

If you are asked to stop filming, politely clarify the reason. For example, the phrase: “I am recording the incident for transfer to the police. On what basis do you demand that the recording be stopped?” - often makes the opponent think.

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To record evidence, use applications with a “non-deletable” video function (for example, LegalCam or Video Evidence). They save timestamps and GPS and also lock the file from being edited.

Drone photography: new rules for 2026

From March 1, 2026, Russia has tightened the requirements for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Now any drone weighing over 150 grams is subject to mandatory registration in the Federal Air Transport Agency. In addition, new restrictions have been introduced:

  • 🚁 Flight ban within a radius of 5 km from airports and 2 km from helipads.
  • 📡 Required permission for shooting in the area of military installations or environmental areas.
  • 🌆 Height limit - no higher than 150 m above the ground (in cities - up to 50 m).
  • 🕒 Ban on night flights (from 23:00 to 6:00) without special permission.

To register a drone you need:

  1. Submit an application on the portal Rosaviatsia.
  2. Indicate the technical characteristics of the device (model, serial number, weight).
  3. Pay the state fee (300 ₽ for individuals).
  4. Obtain an identification number to put on the drone body.

Fines for violating the rules for using drones:

  • 💰 Flight without registration — 3–5 thousand rubles (Article 11.4 of the Russian Federation Internal Code).
  • 💰 Flight zone violation — 10–20 thousand ₽.
  • 💰 Shooting prohibited objects - up to 500 thousand ₽ or confiscation of the drone.

The exception is drones weighing up to 150 g (for example, DJI Mini 2 SE or Hubsan Zino Mini Pro) - they do not need to be registered, but they are also subject to restrictions on flight zones.

What happens if the drone flies into a restricted area?

If your drone accidentally crosses the border of a restricted zone (for example, due to GPS failure), you can avoid a fine if:

1) You will return the device immediately.

2) Provide telemetry data confirming that the flight was unintentional.

3) Write an explanatory note to the Federal Air Transport Agency.

Otherwise, you risk receiving a fine of up to 20 thousand rubles.

What to do if you are accused of illegal filming

Situations when security guards, police or passers-by accuse you of violating the rules of filming occur regularly. The algorithm of actions depends on the circumstances:

If you are stopped by security:

  1. Ask on what basis filming is prohibited (demand to show a document).
  2. If the ban is legal (for example, on the territory of a bank), delete the entry or leave the territory.
  3. If the demands are illegal, record the conversation with a voice recorder.

If you are detained by the police:

  1. Do not resist, but do not agree to search your phone without witnesses.
  2. Request a detention report indicating the reason.
  3. Call your lawyer or relatives right away.

If you are accused of distributing photos/videos:

  1. Delete the material (if the request is legal) and save a screenshot of the confirmation.
  2. If the accusation is unfounded, collect evidence (correspondence, witnesses).
  3. Contact a lawyer to prepare an objection.

Important: do not sign any papers without a lawyer, even if you are promised to “resolve the issue on the spot.” Any confession you make can be used against you.

A practical example: in 2023, a Moscow resident was fined 30 thousand rubles for filming Leningradsky station from a drone. The man claimed that he did not know about the ban, but the court sided with Russian Railways, citing Order No. 286 of the Ministry of Transport (clause 4.3). The appeal dismissed the complaint because the defendant did not provide evidence of “ignorance of the law.”

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the ban on filming

Is it possible to film police officers during an arrest?

Yes, but with reservations: filming should not interfere with their work. If the police officer asks you to stop recording, specify the reason. If he refers to a “security threat,” but in fact simply does not want to be on camera, this is a violation of your rights. In this case, record his actions and appeal to the prosecutor's office.

Do I need to ask permission from passers-by if they are caught on the street?

If people are minor elements frame (for example, a crowd against a landmark), consent is not required. But if you're filming specific person close up (portrait, close-up), you need his permission. The exception is public figures (deputies, artists) at official events.

Can a phone be confiscated for taking pictures on the subway?

No, confiscation of the phone is not provided as a security measure for an administrative offense. The maximum is that they will draw up a report and fine you. If a security guard or police officer asks you to hand over your phone, it is illegal. As a last resort they can demand that the video be removed, but this is also a controversial point - it is better to insist on drawing up a protocol.

What apps help you check no-shoot zones?

To check restricted areas use:

  • Rosaviatsia: UAV Map — shows restricted zones for drones.
  • Public cadastral map (rosreestr.gov.ru) - displays the boundaries of military installations.
  • Yandex.Maps or Google Maps - sometimes restricted areas are marked (for example, airports).
What happens if I post a video from a prohibited object on a social network?

The consequences depend on the object:

  • If this military facility — criminal liability is possible (Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
  • If this private territory (for example, the courtyard of a house) - the owner can sue for the protection of honor and dignity (Article 152 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).
  • If this public place, but people were caught on video without their consent - they have the right to demand deletion under the law on personal data (152-FZ).

Social networks usually remove such content following a complaint, and an account can be blocked for “violating community rules.”

Remember: Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If you doubt whether it is possible to film in a particular place, it is better to clarify the rules in advance or refrain from filming. In controversial situations, record the circumstances (for example, record a conversation with a security guard on a voice recorder) - this will help you defend your rights in the event of a conflict.