Russia Proposes Fines for Online Marketplaces That Pressure Sellers Russia is moving to police its e‑commerce boom — but the same state that squeezes independent media now promises to protect small sellers from digital gatekeepers.

The Kremlin as Marketplace Umpire

The Economic Development Ministry has drafted amendments to Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses to punish “intermediary digital platforms” that lean on sellers over prices or punish them for skipping discount campaigns. Under the proposal, technical violations would cost marketplaces 20,000–50,000 rubles, while serious offenses — from restricting account access to systematically ignoring complaints — could reach 500,000 rubles.

Crucially, platforms would be banned from retaliating against merchants who refuse to offer discounts; downgrading search position, slashing ratings, or limiting access could trigger fines of up to 400,000 rubles. Marketplaces would also have to process complaints within 15 days and lift illegal restrictions within 48 hours.

Small Businesses vs. Big Platforms

Officials pitch the bill as a belated nod to Russia’s entrepreneurs. The ministry calls it a “direct response to years of complaints from small businesses,” acknowledging longstanding grievances that platforms dictate terms and quietly punish dissenters on pricing.

Opposition‑leaning outlets underline the same facts but with a different emphasis. Novaya Gazeta Europe highlights that “Marketplaces Will Be Fined for Pressuring Sellers,” stressing new fines specifically for violating sellers’ rights, including “price pressure and sanctions against those who refuse to participate in discounts.”

Regulation or Power Play?

For marketplaces, the message is mixed. On one hand, the rules clarify what counts as abuse and formalize a complaints process. On the other, they expand state leverage over the digital economy, with broad categories like “illegal blocking” carrying steep penalties.

The law is slated to bite in October 2026 — time enough for platforms to adjust, and for the Kremlin to decide whether this is genuine protection for small business or another tool to discipline powerful private intermediaries.