Media: Russia May Declare Martial Law

It may be introduced after the State Duma elections.

Russian officials have not ruled out the possibility of imposing martial law in the country following the State Duma elections in September, according to "Verstka", citing sources in federal and regional government agencies, the State Duma, and individuals close to the Kremlin.

According to the publication’s sources, the transition to martial law is supported by some representatives of the security establishment, who believe it is time for the authorities to “stop mincing words” with the population and begin “waging war with the entire country.”

“The country’s situation is becoming increasingly serious, and without extreme measures, it may not be possible to stabilize it,” one of “Verstka’s” sources said. Under current law, martial law is imposed by presidential decree (de facto for an indefinite period) and provides for the possibility of a curfew, restrictions on the movement of citizens, the forced deployment of people to defense enterprises, the requisitioning of property for defense needs, as well as the cancellation of elections and total censorship.

According to “Versta” sources, a major setback on the front lines or a sharp decline in the rate of military recruitment—which had already fallen to a three-year low earlier this year—could trigger martial law.

In addition to martial law, according to “Versta” sources, mobilization cannot be ruled out— which has been the subject of rumors for several months, as well as additional restrictions—such as a tightening of currency regulations and a ban on travel abroad for certain categories of citizens (for example, employees of strategic enterprises). The publication’s sources in the regions also do not rule out the forced conversion of a portion of citizens’ deposits into military bonds—to finance the budget deficit, which reached nearly 6 trillion rubles in January–June.

Amendments regulating the activities of the Russian Guard (Rosgvardia) point to the Kremlin’s preparations for a possible mobilization and the imposition of martial law, according to experts at the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to the amendments, the draft of which was published on July 20, the tasks of the Putin-controlled Rosgvardia include the advance preparation of personnel, facilities, and property to defend against threats arising during mobilization, martial law, and wartime. The Russian authorities likely anticipate public discontent in the event of a mass deployment of people to the front lines and are laying the groundwork for the possible introduction of wartime laws, the ISW notes.

Some European officials do not rule out the possibility of mobilization in Russia this fall, sources previously told The Washington Post. According to them, the Kremlin may take such a step if heavy losses on the front lines continue. An alternative for Putin, according to WaPo’s sources, is to suspend the war, the continuation of which is becoming increasingly burdensome for the budget and the economy.

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