A new Russian law suggests the country is preparing for mobilization. Here's what it says.

On September 20, Russia’s State Duma unanimously passed a bill that would amend the country’s Criminal Code. The legislation adds new articles establishing penalties for “crimes against military service” if they are committed during mobilization, during wartime, or under martial law.

"Crimes against military service" are defined as “crimes against the established order of conducting military service committed by soldiers undergoing military service as a conscript or under contract, as well as citizens belonging to the reserve forces as they undergo their military training.”

Yes — if the crimes are committed:

• During mobilization;
• During martial law;
• At wartime;
• In the conditions of an armed conflict;
• In the conditions of military hostilities.

All of the above will now be considered “aggravating circumstances.” In the last two scenarios listed above, the new, harsher rules can be applied even in the absence of a declaration of war or mobilization (for example, during a “special military operation”).

The prison sentences for “crimes against military service” committed in the circumstances listed above will be significantly higher than for the same crimes committed during peacetime.

Using violence against one’s superior, for example, is punishable by up to five years in prison during peacetime; during mobilization or “in the conditions of military hostilities,” however, it will be punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The harsher penalties won’t apply to certain crimes like “hazing,” insulting a fellow soldier, or abandoning a sinking warship.

Not quite. According to a lawyer from the Coalition of Russian Human Rights Defenders for Conscientious Objection to Military Service, members of the reserve forces in civilian areas can’t be criminally prosecuted.

Lawmakers added:

• One new "crime against military service": “Voluntary surrender";
• One new "crime against peace and human safety": “Looting";
• Two new "economic crimes" and two new "crimes against state power."

They were, but they didn’t have an article in the Criminal Code. In the Soviet era, looting was considered a war crime and was punishable by anything from three to 10 years in prison — or even the death penalty. In modern Russia, looting has traditionally been prosecuted under other articles of the Criminal Code, such as the article on theft.

A prison sentence ranging between two years (in the absence of “aggravating circumstances”) to 15 years (for organized groups, and only in the event that death threats are made)

Looting will be considered a “crime against peace and security” rather than a “crime against military service,” because it can be committed by civilians as well as soldiers.

It’s difficult to say for sure — the amendments don’t go into detail what constitutes this crime. They do, however, specify that this article is referring only to cases that don’t involve treason. An analogous article from the Soviet-era Criminal Code described the crime as “voluntary surrender due to cowardice.”

A soldier prosecuted for “voluntary surrender” will face between three and 15 years in prison. He can be absolved, however, if he “took measures to free himself, returned to his base, and didn’t commit other crimes during his captivity.”

These four new articles have to do with the fulfillment of government defense orders. Violating the conditions of fulfillment of a state defense order or an agreement signed for the purpose of carrying out a state defense order under any of the newly defined “aggravating circumstances” will be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Not yet, but it appears that they will soon. The new law will have to be approved by the Federation Council, then signed by the president.