Conscripts who do not attend session and contract soldiers who are absent from duty for more than one month are subject to the same law. They will be sentenced to prison terms of between 5 and 10 years, unless there are “compelling reasons” for non-appearance. The maximum today is 5 years. This is written by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti. State of war and mobilization The elected representatives of the Russian Duma have today approved several proposals for changes to the Russian Criminal Code. The legal text introduces terms such as “state of war”, “times of war” and “armed conflict”, writes Komsomolskaja Pravda. Among other things, it is about what can happen to soldiers who are mobilized and who avoid service under such conditions. In short, the answer is tougher penalties. It will cost more to evade. It also deals with punishment for theft and sabotage. The maximum sentence for looting during “state of war” is 15 years, for destruction of military material 5 years. The changes will in all probability also be approved by the Russian Federation Council as early as tomorrow. The Federation Council is the “upper house” of the National Assembly. The elected members of the Russian Duma have approved the pre-sale of laws that introduce terms such as “state of war”, “times of war” and “armed conflict”. Photo: SPUTNIK / Reuters Soldier shortage and mobilization The successful Ukrainian offensive in the Kharkiv region has meant that even Russian state television has indulged in a debate about weaknesses in the defense. Among other things, there are too few soldiers to defend the areas that are now fully or partially occupied by Russia and Russian-backed separatists. During the opening meeting of the Duma on 13 August, Communist Party leader Gennadij Ziuganov advocated “full mobilisation”. He also described the conflict in Ukraine as “war”. But Zjuganov has not elaborated on what he means by “full mobilization”. On the same day, Kremlin press spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that full or partial mobilization is not even discussed. Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) together with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Chief of Defense Staff Valery Gerasimov (right) during an exercise for the Pacific Fleet outside Vladivostok on 6 September. Photo: MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV / AFP – Lack of capacity Researcher Una Hakvåg at the Defense Research Institute believes that the Russian armed forces do not even have the capacity to mobilize those who have served conscription in the last five years. – The Russian defense forces have disposed of an enormous amount of property in recent years. They lack premises, and they lack officers to train reservists. It is also uncertain how much ammunition and material they have for training use, says Hakvåg to news. Una Hakvåg researches the Russian armed forces, with a particular focus on staffing. Photo: Norwegian Defense Research Institute (FFI) She also believes that Putin is afraid of the political consequences of full mobilisation. It would also mean that people in the big cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow would be drawn more into the war. – One thing is that rich Russians evade. Another thing is the skewed demographic composition in Russia. The economy needs younger people in the labor market, but there are too few of them. Russian military vehicles on a highway near Mariupol in April. Photo: Alexei Alexandrov / AP More teachers than engineers enlist Hakvåg says there are more teachers than engineers who enlist as contract soldiers. Although the defense has a far greater need for engineers. – The salary for an ordinary Russian soldier in Ukraine is now between NOK 4,200 and 5,000, says Hakvåg. That’s just a little above the average teacher’s salary, but less than what many engineers earn. She also says that the reservists who are most relevant are those who have just completed their conscription. But some of them have already enlisted as contract soldiers and must therefore be “subtracted” when it comes to how large additional reserves the Russian defense has the opportunity to mobilize. President Vladimir Putin visits wounded soldiers at a military hospital in Moscow on May 25. Photo: SPUTNIK / Reuters The political decision on full or partial mobilization is whatever Putin will make in practice. So for now, the mobilization continues quietly outside the big cities, often driven by ambitious local politicians. With a mixture of threats and promises of good pay. Until now, it just hasn’t been enough to beat the Ukrainians in their own homeland.
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Up to ten years in prison for soldiers who retire – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
