If the bill passes, those convicted could face fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($8,300) or prison terms of up to three years. Those fines and prison terms increase for public officials or members of the media.

While the bill was first proposed several years ago, recent events in Ukraine led by anti-Russian protestors and the new government there, which Russian state propaganda has labeled as “fascists,” has caused renewed interest in this type of legislation.