As the Kremlin introduces restrictions on abortions
in Russia, ruling party MP Vitaly Milonov recently suggested that Russian
citizens filing for divorce should face substantial fines and be sent to
perform hard labor in the war zone in Ukraine.
Representing the United Russia party, Milonov is known for his fight against so-called "non-traditional values" and calls for crackdowns on LGBT individuals. In a video widely shared on social media, he put forth the proposal to counter Russia’s deepening demographic crisis. He suggests that Russians filing for divorce should either be fined or sent to Ukraine as de facto slaves to perform hard labor.
“A fine of 100,000 rubles [$1,128] for divorce,” said Milonov.
“I would support that. Or mandatory labor. In the 'Special Military Operation' zone. Work in the 'Special Military Operation' zone. That’s it. Punishment for divorce is necessary!”
Notably, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin divorced his wife of 31 years, Lyudmila, in 2014.