The Russian parliament – the Duma – has made explosive legislative changes in urgent procedures. For example, it was found that times of “mobilization” and “state of war” were particularly prone to crime. For this reason, prison sentences for voluntary entry into captivity and for looting, among other things, were significantly increased. This could indicate that the Russian leadership is preparing to impose martial law. Meanwhile, Belarus, an ally of Russia, has ordered the mobilization of all security bodies.
Independent and pro-Kremlin observers see the possibility that the Kremlin will soon impose a general mobilization in an unprecedented move. Most recently, in view of the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow hadn’t even really started there yet.
Speculation for months
After the defeat of Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkov, the Kremlin stated that there was no mobilization “at the moment”. However, there has been speculation for months that Putin could use this drug to solve personnel problems at the front. He only emphasized on Friday that fighting in Ukraine currently only takes place on a contract basis – so with volunteers. The State Duma also passed a law on Tuesday that would allow foreigners who join the military to become Russian citizens more quickly.
Leading Russian politicians, as well as the state media, had called for significantly more staff to be mobilized to speed up the advance. Also in the separatist regions, the commanders had called for more action by the Russian leadership, given the Ukrainian advance and the risk of further defeats from heavy weapons supplied by NATO countries.
Ukraine: Moscow in “clear panic”
Meanwhile, in the Moscow-occupied territories, attempts to hold fake referendums on accession to Russian territory increased. This concerns the Luhansk region and large parts of the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions. The Kremlin had previously indicated that the situation there should be stable. The Ukrainian leadership in Kiev announced that Moscow is now in a panic and acting accordingly.
Mobilization in Belarus
Meanwhile, the ruler of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who is allied to Putin, has ordered the mobilization of all security bodies and further tightening of the laws. “If we have to put a military unit under the law of war, then we should,” Lukashenko said on Tuesday during a meeting with Secretary of the National Security Council, Alexander Wolfovich.
At the same time, the 68-year-old threatened the opposition and called for “discipline for society”. He claimed that the opposition was planning a coup. In the country there is a lack of “discipline, which now has to be enforced by the authorities,” said Lukashenko, who is considered “Europe’s last dictator”. He is the main supporter of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Belarus had also planned its bases for attacks on the neighboring country.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
