Putin signs laws paving way for new wave of mobilization — ISW
Photo: Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Kremlin has passed a series of laws that effectively open the door to the deployment of Russian reservists in occupied Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russian officials had previously claimed that the Russian authorities would only send reservists to protect critical infrastructure within their region, but the law, notably, does not contain such restrictions.
The Kremlin defines the four illegally annexed regions of Ukraine as part of Russia, so the absence of territorial restrictions in the law could allow Russia to send reservists to areas of occupied Ukraine.
Importantly, Russia's Vladimir Putin yesterday, November 5, passed a law extending the monthly payments received by Russian contract soldiers to any military personnel serving to repel an armed invasion of Russia, during an armed provocation on the state border or on Russian territory, or near areas where Russia is conducting a so-called special military operation.
Russian officials have long discussed expanding benefits for military personnel serving in border regions following the domestic reaction caused by Ukraine's invasion of the Kursk region in 2024.
The timing of Putin's signing of the law suggests that it may also be linked to a recent law on the deployment of reservists.
The Kremlin may use the clause in the law about those serving near a so-called special military operation to establish conditions for deploying — and paying — reservists for combat operations in Ukraine, as ISW continues to assess.
ISW believes that the Kremlin is likely presenting its recent legal changes regarding reservists solely as part of plans to protect infrastructure to conceal long-term plans for their deployment in Ukraine.
A source at one of Russia's largest oil and gas companies, in particular, told the Russian opposition news agency Verstka that the company's security guards do not have high expectations of reservists who will defend critical infrastructure, and that only real army air defense systems can provide adequate protection.
Mobilization in Russia
Putin recently signed a law providing for conscription into the army throughout the calendar year.
Russian media have repeatedly reported that conscripts in Russia are being forced to sign contracts to replenish the ranks of soldiers fighting against Ukraine.
At the end of September, the Russian State Duma passed in the first reading a bill on conscription throughout the calendar year, rather than only from April 1 to July 15 and from October 1 to December 31, as is currently the case.
