Prostitution is illegal in Russia. The punishment for engagement in prostitution is a fine from up to rubles. Prostitution remains a very serious social issue in Russia. Prostitution in Russia became common after Peter the Great 's military reforms that created a sizable class of unmarried men who were serving in the military. These soldiers started generating a demand for prostitution. Monarchs who followed Peter I had different approaches to prostitution, ranging from complete abolition to decriminalization.
From 6 October , prostitution was legal in the Russian Empire and prostitutes were issued a special " yellow ticket " ID cards. Numerous brothels existed in most cities, ranging greatly in class and price. Customers included diverse groups ranging from the aristocracy to the working class. Legally, only women were allowed to own brothels. However, illegal street prostitution was still dominated by male pimps.
Following the opening of Japan , Vladivostok would become the focus of settlement for Japanese emigrating to Russia. In the Russian Far East, east of Lake Baikal, Japanese prostitutes and merchants made up the majority of the Japanese community in the region after the s.
Before there were said to be between 25, and 30, prostitutes in Moscow. Prophylactoriums, medical treatment centres, were established in to treat alcoholics and prostitutes. By there were five in Moscow. The prophylactorium board in Moscow estimated that there were prostitutes in Moscow in Handicraft cooperatives were established to provide alternative employment for them.
Women who worked in ordinary hotels and at stations often had protection from the local police, but those in the luxury hotels were under the wing of the KGB. Prostitution has been illegal in Russia since the establishment of the Soviet Union.
