In recent years, substantial changes have been made to Russian legislation on archives, copyrights and access to information. They affect procedures for using documents, as well as copying and publishing them, and conditions for access for foreign researchers. The Bridge has reviewed the most recent developments and summarized the key updates.
Electronic Access and Remote UseAmendments to Federal Law No. 125-FZ On Archives in the Russian Federation envisage the possibility of remote access to archival documents through state information systems. Archives may currently provide users with electronic copies of documents and reference information online.
However, access to materials containing information about individuals’ private lives remains restricted for 75 years from the date of their creation, unless otherwise authorized by the individual or their heirs.
Remote access does not affect existing restrictions related to the condition of a document, protection of state secrets or confidential information. Decisions on granting or denying access are made by the archive in accordance with applicable legislation and agency regulations.
New Restrictions on Access to DocumentsAmendments to Russian Government Resolution No. 1233 On Approval of the List of Data of Confidential Nature (introduced by Resolution No. 1350 from October 9, 2024) removed the previous exemption that prevented archival materials from being designated as “official (
sluzhebnaya) information.” Certain archival documents can now be classified as “information with restricted access” on the basis of their “official” nature.
In addition, new Rosarkhiv regulations, approved by Rosarkhiv Decree No. 77 from July 31, 2023, clarified procedures for handling particularly valuable, unique or physically damaged documents. These rules set out the possibility of temporarily or permanently restricting access to such materials. Archives now have the authority to impose restrictions promptly depending on a document’s condition and the legal status of the information it contains.
Together, these measures amount to an increase in government control over access. Researchers must be aware of the updated restriction categories when working with archival holdings.
Introduction of a ‘Restricted Information’ RegimeRosarkhiv Decree No. 38 from March 20, 2025, introduced a mechanism allowing archives to designate materials as “official information with restricted access” (abbreviated
SOG in Russian) This status enables archival institutions to restrict access to documents deemed to contain information that could pose a potential threat to the interests of Russia.
The decision to apply SOG status is made by the archive and entails temporary or permanent limitations on the use of the affected materials. The Bridge has previously provided a detailed analysis of this.
Copying and Publishing Archival DocumentsThe use of archival documents is permitted for any lawful purpose, including academic, educational and cultural projects. Users may obtain copies and include them in publications, provided they comply with personal-data legislation and correctly cite the source and document number.
Russian law distinguishes several categories of archival documents:
- Official documents of state institutions and local governments (e.g., laws, decrees, court decisions) are not protected by copyright and may be freely reproduced.
- Personal documents (e.g., letters, diaries, photographs) may contain private information and are protected for 75 years unless permission is granted by the owner or heirs.
- Works of science, literature and art held in archival collections are protected by copyright for a statutory period (typically 70 years after the author’s death).
- Archival copies (including microfilm, digital copies and scans) may be distributed only if the original is of lawful origin and applicable access restrictions are observed.
The export of copies of archival materials outside of Russia is permitted if the copies were obtained legally and do not contain restricted information.
Access for Foreign CitizensAccess for foreign citizens and organizations has become a focus for the government in recent years, with the authorization process being tightened considerably.
In practice, foreign researchers may work with archival materials only after obtaining official clearance and approval from competent authorities. The provision of copies, especially in digital form, for use abroad has been suspended in most cases.
Archives are entitled to deny access to foreign users if the materials belong to collections containing restricted information or if their use could result in the disclosure of protected data.
Open Data and Information SecurityAmendments to Federal Law No. 149-FZ On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information, which have entered into force this year, sharpened the rules for making archival materials publicly available.
Information containing personal data, details about private life or state secrets may not be published in open sources, including on archive digital portals. Archives also must comply with requirements for data protection, log retention and user identification during remote access.
New obligations have also been introduced for website operators distributing archival materials: they must provide accurate information about the owner of the website and ensure full compliance with data-protection legislation.
ConclusionThe 2023-25 legislative amendments are part of a new framework taking shape for accessing Russian archives. The main trends are expanded digital access combined with tighter control over the use of materials – particularly those containing personal or restricted information – and a significant reduction in overall opportunities for foreign researchers to work in Russian archives.