by ThatFanficGuy

Figured you'll be curious.

In-quote comments by me unless stated otherwise.

On July 15, the TV news network Rossiya 24 [one of the biggest state-owned news channels] aired a segment listing the ways playing the mobile game Pokémon Go would be illegal in Russia.

Specifically, the news anchor told viewers that attempts to catch Pokémons in other people's homes or at voting stations (Russia has elections in September) could cost players steep fines and even correctional labor for as long as a year. The world's hottest mobile game could even land Russians in prison for up to three years, if they're caught playing it near international borders or inside churches, according to Rossiya 24.

Source.

The St. Petersburg Cossacks, as well as the notorious Russian Orthodox activist Dmitry Enteo, have already voiced their objections to the apparently “Satanic” mobile game.

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According to the council [for the Civil Society and Human Rights]'s spokesperson, Yana Lantratova, playing Pokémon Go “in places of religious significance, cemeteries, or government facilities” is unacceptable. <...> Some in the group having expressed concerns that Pokémon Go players are susceptible to being run over or mugged as they play, and they'll also seek to introduce security measures to ensure players’ safety, according to reports.

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Speaking for the Russian Orthodox Church, Vakhtang Kipshidze agreed with Lantratova, saying that theaters, museums, cemeteries, and temples are not suitable places to play Pokémon Go.

Source. This is the first time I hear any of such concerns in the world.

I like this next one:

A veteran of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) told the news agency RIA Novosti [a state-owned domestic, used to be international news agency] that mobile games like Pokémon Go are used to gather intelligence and facilitate “banal” espionage.

Thankfully, he's not awfully crazy:

According to retired FSB Major-General Alexander Mikhailov, these games present a national security threat when they fall into the hands of oblivious military personnel and state officials.

“Imagine if these ‘pocket monsters’ appear not in some park, but in a secret facility, where a cadet or a soldier takes a photograph of the gamer on a camera. <...> It's unlikely that [a government deputy or military servant] would pass up the chance to exploit such a data-gathering opportunity,” he explained.

Source.

Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's official spokesperson, told reporters today that the Kremlin is an attractive enough tourist destination without the need to come looking for Pokémons. “Pokémons are not a reason to visit the Kremlin, a treasure trove of world culture,” Peskov said, noting—a definitely not further enticing Pokémon Go players—that the Kremlin recently added a new park, making the grounds more open to visitors.

Here's what else he had to say:

“No, I don't know,” Peskov said, when asked if there were any Pokémons on the Kremlin's grounds, and if they could be caught there. “If I'm not mistaken, this game is still inaccessible in Russia. That's what I've read. But I'm not qualified to say. I don't play the game myself.”

Source for the article. Source for the quote (in Russian).