State dossier
Russia
RUS · RUSSIAN FEDERATION · on the world map
What does it want?
Position: no new rules (OPPOSE). Opposes any new international rules on autonomous weapons.
No new rules (OPPOSE), since 2023-11-01, stated directly (EXPLICIT)
In its November 2023 explanation of vote, Russia said it opposes any legally binding instrument and any moratorium. It said international law already applies in full and does not need updating. Its 2024 working paper and its 2024 submission to the Secretary-General said there are no grounds for new restrictions, and that talks on rules of conduct are premature. In 2025 it said it has always opposed bans. Separately, in each of these records, Russia names the CCW expert group as the place to discuss the subject. It voted No on all three UN resolutions.
In its explanation of vote on draft resolution L.56, Russia states opposition to a legally binding instrument and to a moratorium.
We oppose the establishment of any international legally binding instrument on lethal autonomous systems and the imposition of a moratorium [ru]
General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source
Russia states that existing international law, including IHL, applies in full and needs no update.
We believe that international law, including international humanitarian law, fully applies to LAWS and does not need to be updated [ru]
General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source
The 2024 working paper says IHL needs no modernization or adaptation for LAWS.
We believe that norms and principles of international law, including IHL, do not need to be modernized or adapted to the specific features of LAWS.
Approaches of the Russian Federation to the issue of emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (CCW/GGE.1/2024/WP.2), 2024-05-14 source
The 2024 working paper sees no reason for restrictions or bans.
At the moment, we do not see any convincing reasons requiring immediate restrictions and bans against such type of weapons.
Approaches of the Russian Federation to the issue of emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (CCW/GGE.1/2024/WP.2), 2024-05-14 source
The 2024 working paper calls talks on non-binding rules of behavior premature.
We believe the discussions aiming at negotiation of certain "rules of behavior" in relation to LAWS to be premature.
Approaches of the Russian Federation to the issue of emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (CCW/GGE.1/2024/WP.2), 2024-05-14 source
Russia's submission to the Secretary-General sees no grounds for new limitations or restrictions.
The Russian Federation believes that there are currently no convincing grounds for imposing any new limitations or restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons systems [ru]
Lethal autonomous weapons systems: report of the Secretary-General (A/79/88), 2024-05-08 source
The same submission calls talks on rules of conduct premature.
The discussions towards agreeing on some kind of "rules of conduct" for lethal autonomous weapons systems are also premature. [ru]
Lethal autonomous weapons systems: report of the Secretary-General (A/79/88), 2024-05-08 source
Before the 2025 vote, Russia says it has always opposed bans on LAWS.
We have unswervingly spoken out against artificial bans on the use and development of LAAWS. [ru]
General Assembly First Committee, 80th session, 24th meeting, automatic speech recognition transcript, 2025-11-04 source
Russia states it categorically opposes the content of resolutions 78/241 and 79/62.
We categorically oppose the content of these resolutions. [ru]
General Assembly First Committee, 80th session, 24th meeting, automatic speech recognition transcript, 2025-11-04 source
Forum preference (separate fact) - Russia names the CCW expert group as the only forum for LAWS.
We believe that the Group of Governmental Experts is the only and best forum for discussing all issues concerning lethal autonomous weapons systems. [ru]
General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source
Forum preference (separate fact) - moving the subject to another platform is counterproductive.
Transferring this issue to any other international platform, including the UN, seems counterproductive.
Approaches of the Russian Federation to the issue of emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons systems (CCW/GGE.1/2024/WP.2), 2024-05-14 source
Forum preference (separate fact) - in October 2025 Russia calls the GGE the best suited platform.
We consider the GGE on LAWS to be the best suited platform for discussing these matters [ru]
Statement by the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Vorontsov, Thematic Debate on Cluster IV Conventional weapons, First Committee, 80th session, 2025-10-24 source
Forum preference (separate fact) - moving the discussion to other fora, including the UN, is counterproductive.
Moving the discussion of this topic to other international fora (including the UN) is counterproductive. [ru]
Statement by the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Vorontsov, Thematic Debate on Cluster IV Conventional weapons, First Committee, 80th session, 2025-10-24 source
Shown large among its peers · hover a mark for its position
How did it vote?
No, No, No across the three resolutions.
Hover a legend chip to light those votes · each resolution links to its record
What has it signed?
Being on a list is a fact. Not being on one is not opposition.
Hover a column heading to light its signings · click a seal to open the document
When has it spoken?
Every time it went on the record, dated.
Hover a mark for what it was · a legend chip lights that type
What rules has it written at home?
Its own military policy.
No published military policy on weapon autonomy found by this site, as of 2026-07-17.
Russia's March 2024 paper to the Geneva talks is its fullest statement on the subject, but it is a diplomatic submission, not a domestic rule.
The record
The documents on file.
Each mark opens its source