The Kremlin appears to be setting conditions for potential mobilization and is preparing for possible civil unrest in Russia resulting from mobilization.
That is according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as reported by Ukrinform.
ISW said that on July 22, the Russian State Duma passed a bill that allows citizens with unexpunged and active criminal records, including for crimes related to drug smuggling and organized crime, to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense during formal mobilization periods.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister and Russian MoD Main Military-Political Directorate Head Army General Viktor Goremykin stated that the July 22 bill will expand the number of Russians eligible for military service and facilitate Russian recruitment efforts for the war in Ukraine in 2026.
On July 21, Russia’s militarized internal security force, Rosgvardia, published proposed amendments to expand its civil defense regulations to protect Russian society from unspecified “dangers” during mobilization, martial law, and in wartime.
