According to the official legal information portal, President Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the law to Russia’s Criminal Code under which military members who refuse to obey a senior officer’s order during martial law or to engage in combat will receive a prison sentence of up to three years, and if the refusal results in grave consequences, they will face up to ten years in prison.

Article 332 of Russia’s Criminal Code has been revised. Refusing to obey a superior officer’s order or order to participate in military or combat operations under times of martial law, war, or armed conflict carries a sentence of two to three years in prison. Those who, on the other hand, refuse to go to battle, despite the considerable risks involved, may be subject to a prison sentence ranging from three to ten years.

During times of mobilization or war, those who desert their posts will face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Article 338 of the Russian Criminal Code is amended by the addition of part three, which stipulates that absence from the place of service without leave, desertion with weapons, and desertion of a group during mobilization, martial law, war, or armed conflict shall be punishable by imprisonment for five to fifteen years.

The law says that mobilization, martial law, and wartime are all things that make the punishment for a crime worse.

Those who give up to the enemy on their own will spend up to ten years in prison. Voluntary surrender is now included in Article 352.1 of the Criminal Code. According to the report, this offence will result in a prison sentence of three to ten years.

However, if the soldier has taken steps to secure his release, has returned to his unit or duty station, and hasn’t committed any additional offences while being held captive, he may be exonerated of criminal responsibility.

Anyone found guilty of looting during a war or armed conflict could spend up to 15 years in prison.

Looting without any aggravating circumstances is now punishable by up to six years in prison under the new Article 356.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, whereas a similar crime involving violence that is not dangerous to life or health, or threats of using such violence, is now punishable by up to ten years in prison.

Looting carried out by an organized group in large amounts with threats to murder or impair health will result in a maximum punishment of eight to fifteen years in prison.

Failure to complete the defense purchase order in Russia will result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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