Since 2019, when the law on «disrespect» for the authorities came into force, almost Russians and residents of annexed Crimea have been prosecuted for insulting the president, calculated by «Verstka»*. Citizens are almost always found guilty. Only six protocols were returned by judges to the police, and 28 cases were dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations or lack of offense.
The number of cases of insulting Putin increased after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2019, the publication found 40 cases, in 2020 — 54, in 2021 — 33. In 2022, at least 84 cases were filed in courts. In 2023, there was a decline — 54 cases. And in 2024, the number of cases increased again — at least 91 cases. In the first seven months of 2025, as calculated by «Verstka», judges have already considered at least 35 cases of insulting the president.
On average, Russians are fined 30,000 rubles or sent to arrest for up to 14 days. Due to «disrespect» for Putin, at least 12 people were under administrative arrest. At least 332 people were fined, with two Russians punished three times. One of them is former Perm deputy Konstantin Okunev, who received the largest fine. A post describing Putin as «an inadequate person, gone mad» cost him 250,000 rubles.
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».