Russian legislature passes law punishing those who share 'false information' with up to 15 years in prison

• Russian legislature approved a law that would punish anyone who shares "false information" about the war in Ukraine. 
• The new law would also punish those who support sanctions against Russia. 
• Punishment for these actions could include up to 15 years in prison or a fine of up to 5 million rubles ($45,000). 

Russia's legislature approved a draft law on Friday that would punish anyone who shares "false information" about the war in Ukraine. 

The new law targets "criminal liability" for those who share "false information about the activities of the armed forces (AF) of the Russian Federation, for 'discrediting' the Armed Forces, and 'calls to prevent their use,'" according to the Russian media outlet Kommersant. 

The law would also punish those who support sanctions against Russia or call for Putin to end the attack in Ukraine, Kommersant reported. 

Under the new law, penalties for such actions include serving up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 5 million rubles ($45,000).

Russian parliament's lower and upper houses voted unanimously to approve the draft law on Friday, and it is expected to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, the Associated Press reported.

Once Putin approves, the law could go into effect as early as Saturday, speaker of the lower house, Vyacheslav Volodin, told AP.

"It is possible that by tomorrow, its rules will force those lied and made statements discrediting our armed forces to bear very grave punishment," Volodin said. "I want everyone to understand, and for society to understand, that we are doing this to protect our soldiers and officers, and to protect the truth."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 sparked international outrage, prompting massive demonstrations even in Russia's largest cities, with thousands gathering to protest the war. 

Protesters wielding "No to war!" signs in reference to the Russian invasion in Ukraine fall under the new order and could be fined up to 50,000 rubles ($448), Kommersant reported.