Russian lawmaker proposes 40,000-ruble fine for divorce

A regional lawmaker from Russia’s ruling United Russia party has proposed introducing a 40,000-ruble fine for couples who file for divorce, Russian media reported. The initiative was announced by Bryansk regional assembly deputy Mikhail Ivanov during a session of the World Russian People’s Council.

Ivanov also suggested paying 20,000 rubles to newlyweds, arguing that a high divorce penalty could serve as a “balancing factor” amid budget constraints.

He further called for a legal ban on the “discrediting of motherhood and childhood.”

According to the state pollster VTsIOM, Russia ranks third worldwide for divorce rates, with eight divorces per ten marriages.
Since 2025, the state fee for divorce has risen from 650 to 5,000 rubles.
Poll respondents cite poverty (33%), lack of understanding (15%), and infidelity or jealousy (14%) as the main reasons for divorce.