Russian security forces are calling for martial law to be imposed following the State Duma elections
Some representatives of Russia’s security apparatus are calling on the country’s leadership to impose martial law following the State Duma elections, which are due to take place in September. This is reported by TMT, citing sources within federal and regional authorities, the State Duma and among interlocutors close to the Kremlin.
According to the publication’s sources, supporters of such a decision believe that the authorities should ‘stop dithering’ with the population and start ‘waging war with the whole country’. One source noted that “the country’s situation is becoming increasingly serious and, without extreme measures, it may not be possible to stabilise it”.
Under current Russian legislation, martial law is imposed by presidential decree and provides for the possibility of imposing a curfew, restricting citizens’ movement, forcibly conscripting people into defence enterprises, requisitioning property for defence purposes, cancelling elections and introducing total censorship.
Serious setbacks on the front line or a sharp decline in the rate of military recruitment could serve as grounds for imposing martial law.
Sources speaking to the publication also do not rule out a new mobilisation – rumours of which have been circulating in recent months – as well as the introduction of additional restrictions. These include tightening foreign exchange legislation, a ban on travelling abroad for certain categories of citizens – in particular, employees of strategic enterprises – as well as the possible compulsory conversion of a portion of citizens’ bank deposits into military bonds to finance the budget deficit.
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that amendments to legislation governing the activities of the Russian National Guard may indicate the Kremlin’s preparations for possible mobilisation measures and martial law. According to a draft of the amendments published on 20 July, it is proposed that its remit be expanded to include the advance preparation of personnel, facilities and equipment for operations under conditions of mobilisation, martial law and wartime.
ISW experts note that the Russian authorities are likely anticipating public discontent in the event of a mass conscription of people to the front and are creating the conditions for the possible introduction of wartime laws.
Earlier, sources at The Washington Post reported that some European officials also do not rule out the possibility of a new mobilisation in Russia this autumn if heavy losses at the front continue. According to the publication’s sources, an alternative for the Kremlin could be to suspend the war, which is placing an ever-greater strain on the Russian budget and economy.
