May 03, 2026

Don't Pick the Lilacs


Don't Pick the Lilacs
Look, don't touch. Keng, Wikimedia Commons

On April 30, Elena Saratseva, Deputy Head of Roskachestvo (the country's quality control authority), warned Russians that picking lilacs planted in public spaces could cost them a fine or 15 days in jail.

Saratseva noted that the flowers were planted to beautify cities, so picking them is tantamount to the destruction of municipal property and would fall under the criminal code.

Saratseva gave her remarks at the Caucasus Investment Forum, which met April 28-30, 2026, in Mineralnye Vodi. The forum is run by the Kremlin and encourages businesses to invest in the Caucasus region. We're not sure why or in what context Saratseva mentioned the flowers.

So, you can stop and smell the lilacs, but just don't pick them.

 

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