Russia Moves to Ban Satanism, Citing Threats to National Values and Alleged ‘Ritual Orgies’

Russian lawmakers are moving forward with a controversial initiative to ban “Satanism” and what they describe as other “destructive ideologies,” citing alleged threats to Russia’s spiritual and social foundations.

The State Duma’s Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organizations, along with a working group on anti-Satanism, hosted a roundtable on Tuesday to address the issue. Lawmakers claimed that Satanism is not merely a belief system but a “misanthropic ideology” that aims to destabilize Russian society and weaken its religious institutions.

Senior Duma official Vyacheslav Leontiyev stated, “We are targeting Satanists because they pose a direct threat to our country’s moral compass and cultural heritage.” The working group is reportedly preparing legislative amendments to tighten laws on freedom of conscience, commerce, and public expression in order to suppress satanic content and activity.

The discussion, which spanned over three hours, featured a controversial video linking Ukraine’s Azov Battalion—designated a terrorist group by Russia in 2022—to so-called “Satanic ritual orgies.” The footage was accompanied by a voiceover narrative, which lawmakers claimed reflected the Western ideological infiltration of Russian society.

“We receive numerous citizen complaints about alleged satanic orgies happening in Moscow and other cities,” said Nikolai Burlyayev, a member of the Duma’s religious committee. “This is a dangerous erosion of our traditional values and a warning sign of civilizational decline.”

Prominent voices from the Russian Orthodox Church also participated. Bishop Pitirim of the Skopinsky diocese noted a dramatic rise in what he described as occult practitioners—claiming over 800,000 “magicians, psychics, tarot readers, and witches” operate in Russia today, compared to 40,000 Orthodox clergy.

Church leaders have voiced support for legal action. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, called for renewed efforts to combat what he referred to as the “internationalist satanist movement,” echoing past policies that targeted similar groups.

State Duma member Andrei Kartapolov questioned the funding and distribution networks behind what he labeled satanic propaganda, demanding deeper investigations into how such groups sustain their operations.

This crackdown follows a broader conservative shift in Russian domestic policy. In November 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court outlawed the so-called “international LGBT movement,” classifying it as an extremist organization—a move that effectively criminalized LGBTQ+ advocacy across the country.

As the Orthodox Church continues to gain political influence, the proposed legislation against Satanism is being viewed as part of a wider campaign to entrench state-aligned conservative values and further restrict alternative beliefs and expressions within Russia.