A conservative Russian activist has called on the government to ban sex toys nationwide, arguing that their availability undermines traditional family structures and exacerbates the country’s demographic crisis.

Georgiy Soldatov, head of the nationalist group Sorok Sorokov, urged lawmakers to prohibit the sale of sex toys, particularly on online marketplaces. Speaking to the media outlet Absatz, he claimed such products “corrupt women” and discourage them from seeking traditional marriages, which he argues are essential for the country’s survival.

Sorok Sorokov, founded in 2013, is a Russian Orthodox Christian movement advocating for traditional family values and greater religious influence in public life. The group is known for its campaigns against LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, and Western cultural influences, as well as efforts to ban books, films, and legislation it deems immoral. The movement often aligns itself with Kremlin-backed narratives, portraying itself as a defender of Russia’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

According to Soldatov, Russia’s high divorce rate— which he claims exceeds 70%— is partially caused by easy access to adult products. He argued that women who use sex toys are less inclined to form stable families, contributing to declining birth rates and worsening Russia’s demographic crisis.

"I believe that we shouldn't just restrict the sale of such accessories but completely eliminate it, and there should be criminal liability for selling them to minors,” he said. “Undoubtedly, the easy availability of these 'toys' corrupts our girls and women. Instead of entering into healthy marital relationships, they resort to some kind of artificial surrogate. This is a dead end. In a healthy family, everything is fine without such 'crutches’.”

Soldatov’s plea follows reports that the sale of adult products in Russia increased by 20% in 2024. In February, the Russian news outlet Kommersant reported that demand for adult products grew by more than a third over the span of a year. Alongside sex toys, these figures include dietary supplements, themed souvenirs, and erotic lingerie.