The President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a federal law “On the Russian Red Cross”, thus completing the establishment of a modern legal framework for the oldest humanitarian organization in the country. On December 9, the law was unanimously adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the second and third readings. On December 10, it was approved by the Federation Council.
The signed federal law enshrines the special status of the Russian Red Cross as the only National Society of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Russia. The document stipulates the goals and objectives, basic principles of activity, rights and obligations of the organization, as well as the foundation for its interaction with state authorities. Thus, the Russian Red Cross becomes the first and only public organization in the country whose activities are regulated by a special federal law, which establishes a stable and transparent legal framework for the further development of humanitarian work.
“The signing of the law by the Russian President is a truly historic, long-awaited, and landmark event not only for our organization but also for the entire humanitarian network in our country. This document is the result of many years of sometimes difficult work by several generations of employees, professionals, and partners of our organization. Now, when the solid legal foundation is established, the Russian Red Cross will have new opportunities for large-scale, systematic, and effective work. We are sincerely grateful to the President of the Russian Federation, the Federal Assembly, the Russian Government, and everyone who consistently supported this process at every stage”, accentuated Pavel SAVCHUK, the President of the Russian Red Cross.
The need to adopt a separate federal law on the Russian Red Cross has been discussed for more than two decades. In modern Russian history, the organization’s activities have been stipulated only by separate provisions in various legal acts, which did not fully reflect its special function and mandate within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The government support for the RRC has a long history. Back in 1996, Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree “On Government Support for the Russian Red Cross Society”. This decree stipulated the obligation of the government to pay an annual contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and recognized the need to support the RRC social, medical, health, and charitable programs. This decree remains in force till now.
Some approaches to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the Russian Red Cross were made in the late 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. But none of the drafts were signed into law. The process gained new momentum in 2021 amid a large-scale transformation within the Russian Red Cross and a significant increase of humanitarian assistance provided by the organization. In June 2025, the bill was unanimously adopted in its first reading. On December 9, it was simultaneously adopted in second and third readings and was unanimously approved by the Federation Council on December 10.
The enactment of the law opens a new chapter in the history of the Russian Red Cross, provides a solid legal foundation for the further development of the organization and increases the effectiveness of assistance to millions of people throughout the country.
