CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION KNOWINGLY FALSE INFORMATION (СТ.СТ. 207<sup>1</sup>, 207<sup>2</sup> OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
The article deals with the new offences, the responsibility for public dissemination of false information about circumstances that threaten the life and security of citizens (article 207<sup>1</sup> of the criminal code) and public dissemination of false public interest information, resulting in serious consequences (ст. 207<sup>2</sup> of the criminal code). The grounds for criminalization of new prohibitions caused by the spread of a new coronavirus infection are studied. Some criticisms are made about the appropriateness of criminal law mechanisms for controlling the dissemination of information. The article describes objective and subjective features of new types of information crimes. Attention is drawn to the complexity of establishing a cause-and-effect relationship when committing a crime under article 207<sup>2</sup> of the criminal code of the Russian Federation. At the end of the publication, the almost significant issue of distinguishing between related crimes and administrative offenses is raised.