Russian President Vladimir Putin signed two laws that exempt such defendants from criminal prosecution if they agree to serve in the military during mobilization or wartime.

Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on this.

The first law permits contracts to be concluded even at the stage of court proceedings, while the second suspends ongoing criminal proceedings and facilitates subsequent release from liability.

Previously, individuals could sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense only before their case was brought to court or after the verdict was rendered.

The new laws significantly broaden these provisions, enabling defendants to sign contracts and be sent to the combat zone even while their case is under judicial review.

The laws signed by Putin amend the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the law on military service.

The amendments stipulate that the court may suspend proceedings in a criminal case and further release the defendant from liability if he or she signs a contract for military service during mobilization or wartime.

The newly signed laws apply even if a verdict has been passed but has not yet come into force, offering defendants the chance to avoid sentencing by agreeing to military service.

The amendments to the law “On Military Duty and Military Service” stipulate that a contract for military service during the mobilization period may be concluded with the accused at the stage of court proceedings – when the criminal case has already been sent to court for consideration on the merits or is under appeal.

The package of amendments was drafted by the Supreme Court and submitted to the State Duma on August 23, and later, on August 29, the heads of the Federation Council, State Duma, and Defense Committees proposed the relevant amendments to the law on military service. The package of laws was approved by the Federation Council on September 25.

Contracts with prisoners in the Russian Federation

As previously reported, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not sign contracts with prisoners pardoned for participating in the war in Ukraine; they were hired to Storm Z units on the basis of “written consent”.

The “special contingent” was enrolled as stormtroopers for six months without the status of volunteers and insurance payments for death or injury.

Survivors are not issued military ID cards, certificates of injury, or certificates of combat veterans.