Russia stirred by martial law rumors, Ukraine explains what's behind them
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russia is once again discussing possibly imposing martial law. Authorities may be using these rumors to gauge public sentiment, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).
He says claims have recently been circulating that Russian President Vladimir Putin may consider imposing martial law in response to a proposal from the Defense Ministry of Russia.
Kovalenko noted that Russian authorities have not even officially announced mobilization, but in his view, they are carrying it out covertly.
He pointed to reactions by Russians to previous reports of possible mobilization, saying such rumors prompted some Russian citizens to leave for Georgia, Armenia and other countries. At the same time, he said, war fatigue in Russian society continues to grow.
Why Russia talks about martial law
According to the CCD head, the current discussion of martial law may be a way of testing public sentiment.
"Martial law is being floated now to once again gauge public sentiment in Russia. The Kremlin will be watching the polling," Kovalenko wrote.
He also believes that the reports may be aimed at more than just a Russian audience. In particular, they could be used to create additional concern in Europe and Ukraine.
"This news exists to scare Europeans and, as the Russians think, us," Kovalenko added.
At the same time, he said he personally does not believe Russia will impose martial law.
Mobilization in Russia
As previously reported, Russia has tightened restrictions on travel abroad for military reservists. The first case is already known, when a reservist was barred from leaving the country because of a mobilization order in his documents.
In addition, Russians have begun receiving mobilization orders at military recruitment offices. According to media, this could allow authorities to quickly summon hundreds of thousands of men to assembly points.
Meanwhile, according to Ukraine's defense intelligence (HUR), Russian generals have asked the Kremlin for another 800,000 troops to continue the war against Ukraine.
Amid these reports, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev denied that Russia was preparing a new mobilization this fall.
He called the reports "Kyiv's provocation" and claimed that Ukraine was trying to use the mobilization issue to stir up unrest in Russian society.
