In Russia, voyeurism is generally prosecuted under , which covers the "violation of privacy". Legal experts often view this as a "legislative compromise" because while the primary motive of a voyeur is typically sexual, the law focuses on the invasion of privacy rather than the sexual nature of the act.
International and independent journalists are under constant watch. Many have reported being followed by the FSB or detained on espionage charges while conducting standard reporting. Reporting Incidents russian voyeur
Beyond individual criminal acts, "voyeurism" in a broader sense describes the Russian state's pervasive monitoring of its citizens, which has intensified significantly since February 2022. In Russia, voyeurism is generally prosecuted under ,
Report a Crime or Submit a Complaint - Department of Justice Many have reported being followed by the FSB
Moscow police have previously stated they do not view voyeurism as a "mass phenomenon," often citing a lack of formal reports from victims.
There has been a resurgence of Soviet-style informing, with approximately 300,000 denunciations registered in the first year of the war in Ukraine. Citizens frequently report neighbors or colleagues for "unpatriotic" behavior or criticizing the government.
Historically, voyeurs remained a largely invisible community in Russia. Despite hundreds of women being targeted annually by hidden cameras in public spaces—such as the high-profile case involving bathroom cameras in the "Shokoladnitsa" cafe chain—convictions remain rare.