The new law was intended to "protect our country and our citizens from the threat of terrorism and sabotage," the Duma said. Its chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin, also referred to the ongoing "special military operation" in Ukraine. The penalties for "saboteurs" should be "as severe as possible," he demanded. The new law now has to be passed by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine in February. In recent months, there have been a number of incidents, including explosions at key military bases and infrastructure facilities, for which Moscow blamed Ukraine.