All private clinics in the Sverdlovsk region have stopped performing abortion procedures.

The regional Ministry of Health reported that the clinics made the decision to stop performing abortions "on their own initiative," even though some of them "had all the conditions required by federal law" for the procedure.

"In the Sverdlovsk region, this medical service is now provided only in state-run medical institutions within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance system." — the department boasted, adding that “they didn’t force anyone,” since they “don’t have such authority.”

The first private clinic in the region to abandon abortion procedures was "Chance," citing ethical concerns and demographic decline as the reason for its decision. A week later, a second case was reported: the Yekaterinburg Medical Center removed the procedure from its services.

The day before, Priest Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family Issues, announced that 1012 private clinics in Russia had already "voluntarily" renounced their abortion licenses.

"In 16 regions of Russia, abortions in private clinics have been completely halted. In 32 regions, more than a third of private clinics have stopped performing abortions." — Lukyanov cited the data, speaking on the sidelines of parliamentary hearings in the State Duma.

In recent years, measures aimed at reducing the number of abortions and stimulating the birth rate have been actively discussed at the federal level. Regions are introducing additional support measures for pregnant women, as well as psychological counseling programs before deciding to terminate a pregnancy. Russian women are complaining of rights infringement and reproductive pressure.

At the same time, the State Duma (in the run-up to the elections, experts are confident) has finally acknowledged that a woman should decide for herself whether to have an abortion.

"If she wants, she'll consult with a loved one, her parents, whatever she thinks best," said State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. "But there's no way to apply pressure, to involve anyone. Listen: who's going to give birth? Who's going to raise the child? Who's going to breastfeed? The woman. Well, let her make the decision."