Russia: Attacks on Abortion Undermine Women’s Rights

In 2026, the governor of Vologda, Russia, implemented policies that reduced the number of abortions in the region by 82 percent within one year. This significant restriction on abortion access has led to women traveling to neighboring regions to obtain the procedure, which remains legal in Russia overall. Human Rights Watch and Meduza have highlighted these developments as part of broader attacks on women's reproductive rights in the country. The situation underscores regional disparities in access to abortion services and raises concerns about the erosion of women's rights in Russia.