Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on partial mobilization.

Putin announced this in his address, the Russian media reported.

The mobilization will cover only those citizens who are considered military reserve.

“The conscription will cover only those citizens who are considered military reserve, primarily those who have served in the ranks of the armed forces, acquired certain military specialties and relevant experience,” said the Russian president.

He also noted that “before being deployed to their bases, conscripts would undergo additional military training taking into account the experience of war in Ukraine”, which the President of the Russian Federation calls a “special military operation”.

Putin accused Western countries of nuclear blackmail and noted that the Russian Federation also possesses nuclear weapons. He claims it to be even more powerful than those of the NATO member states and is ready to use them if necessary “in the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of Russia.”

Yesterday, the State Duma introduced the concept of “mobilization” and “wartime” into the Criminal Code and approved amendments for liability for desertion during mobilization or wartime.

According to the adopted amendments, the aggravating circumstance in crimes against military service will be considered if they are committed not only in the conditions of armed conflict or hostilities but also “during the period of mobilization or martial law, or in wartime.”

The State Duma also introduced criminal liability for voluntary surrender (from 3 to 10 years) and for looting (up to 15 years).

According to the amendments, if during the period of mobilization or martial law, or in wartime, a soldier leaves a unit for up to 10 days, he faces up to 5 years in prison. Leaving a unit for a month causes 7 years of imprisonment, and leaving for more than a month – 10 years.

Those in the military reserve who were called for military training will be criminally responsible for the absence or desertion equally as military contractors or conscripts.

The punishment for refusing to participate in hostilities is supposed to be up to 3 years in prison, and if it caused serious consequences – up to 10 years.