On September 28, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB—one of the main successor organizations of the Soviet KGB) published an official order, Number 376, that lists some 60 ambiguous reference points covering all possible information about the state of battle readiness, location, structure and operations of the country’s military, defense industry and space program (Roscosmos). The order specifically forbids the sharing of any such information with international organizations and foreign governments, entities, non-governmental organizations (NGO) or individuals. The crucial aspect of FSB order Number 376 is that it does not refer to the possible transfer to foreigners of classified defense and defense-related data, which could be legally considered treason (treason cases are multiplying in Russia); rather the order specifically forbids the sharing of unclassified, open-source defense and defense-related data, “which, when transferred abroad, may be used against the security of the Russian Federation.” Any Russian citizens who gather unclassified open-source defense and defense-related data with intent to let it be known abroad in any form may be officially labeled as a “foreign agent.” A draft version of FSB order Number 376 was first officially published on July 20. Now it will legally start being enforced.
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