Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code: what “confidential cooperation” means
Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation appeared in December 2022 and introduced into law the concept of “confidential cooperation with a foreign state, international or foreign organization.” It is a separate criminal offense with a penalty of up to 8 years of imprisonment. It is often described as “state treason lite” — a lower tier compared with Article 275.
The wording of Article 275.1 is shorter and less specific than the neighboring offenses in Chapter 29 of the Criminal Code. This gives investigators broad room for interpretation: what exactly counts as “cooperation” is largely decided by law enforcement.
Below is a description of what the text of the provision itself provides, what actions fall under it in practice, and where to view the current version.
In brief
- Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code is “confidential cooperation with a foreign state, international or foreign organization.” It was introduced in December 2022.
- Penalty: imprisonment for a term of 3 to 8 years.
- The investigation is handled by the FSB. Cases are considered mainly in closed proceedings.
- Unlike Article 275, it does not require the transfer of state secrets or harm to security — an established fact of “cooperation” is enough.
- According to estimates by independent human rights projects, by 2025 the number of initiated cases is in the dozens; no official summary for this specific offense is published.
What the law itself says
Article 275.1 is contained in Chapter 29 of the Criminal Code, “Crimes against the foundations of the constitutional order and state security.” It describes “establishing and maintaining cooperation on a confidential basis with a representative of a foreign state, international or foreign organization for the purpose of assisting them in activities knowingly directed against the security of the Russian Federation.”
The official version of the provision can be viewed, for example, in the legal system KonsultantPlyus (КонсультантПлюс) (Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
How it differs from Article 275
Article 275 (state treason) involves the transfer of information constituting a state secret, or another form of assistance that causes harm to the security of the Russian Federation. Article 275.1 is a less severe offense: a state secret is not required, and harm does not need to be proven as having occurred. It is enough to prove the fact of “confidential cooperation” itself.
Who falls under it in practice
Materials from independent legal projects record cases where the basis for classification included: contacts with representatives of foreign media, correspondence with employees of foreign NGOs, communication with citizens of other states in messengers — if investigators saw this as “assistance directed against security.” The specific legal classification is within the competence of the court.
What the consequences are
The penalty provides for imprisonment for a term of 3 to 8 years, with possible deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 5 years.
What this means in practice
| Situation | What it formally means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Questioning as a witness in a 275.1 case | A case has already been opened against another person; the status may change | Clarify procedural status in writing; invite a lawyer |
| Seizure of devices and correspondence | Collection of evidence of “confidential cooperation” | Obtain copies of the seizure orders |
| Travel ban | May be a preventive measure in an already opened case | Check the full name in the open wanted registry |
| Charges in absentia | Applied to suspects outside the Russian Federation | The open part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanted database |
| A person with the same surname in publications | A match of full name is common | Clarify by date of birth and region |
How to check right now
Information about cases opened under Article 275.1 is generally absent from open sources before a verdict. Wanted Radar lets you view the open part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanted registry — this is a separate database, not directly connected to proceedings in a criminal case.
To check the current version of the provision itself, use KonsultantPlyus or the official legal information portal.
Check a full name in the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanted registry
Warning signs vs false alarm
Everyday contacts with foreign citizens and work correspondence do not in themselves constitute the offense under Article 275.1. The provision specifically requires “confidential cooperation for the purpose of providing assistance directed against the security of the Russian Federation” — this is an evaluative wording, but it also requires an evidentiary basis.
Real signs that a case has been opened are an order, a summons, a search, or a preventive measure. Rumors and calls “from the authorities” demanding that you go somewhere or pay something are not a sign of a case, and are often a sign of fraud.
What to do next
- If you receive a summons, appear with a retained lawyer and do not give explanations without defense counsel.
- Clarify procedural status in writing.
- Know the content of the current version of Article 275.1 — it changed in 2022 and may be clarified further.
- Distinguish between operational-search measures and an already opened criminal case.
- Use Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation as the right not to testify against yourself and close relatives.
Disclaimer: this material is informational and is not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer.
Conclusion
Article 275.1 is a relatively new offense that has significantly expanded the field of criminal liability under Chapter 29 of the Criminal Code. Its wording is shorter and broader than Article 275, which predictably produces varying law-enforcement practice. Consolidated official statistics for this specific offense are not yet published.
To view the open part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanted registry, use Wanted Radar search.