Mobilization in Russia for June 11-12, 2023 CIT Volunteer Summary
Authorities and Legislation
Members of the State Duma [lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia] will consider amendments allowing for the arrest of citizens for "violating the requirements of a martial law." To this end, Article 25.1.1, "Violation of the state of martial law," is planned to be introduced into the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses. The punishment for this offense will include a fine of up to 2,000 rubles [$24] or an arrest of up to 30 days. These changes will be made to the draft law on clarifying the procedure for the detention of motor vehicles already passed in its first reading. The draft law can be considered as early as Jun. 14.
Army Recruitment and Military Service Advertising
On Jun. 12, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the signing of a contract between the Ministry and the Akhmat volunteer unit. This formation, associated with the fund of the head of Russia’s constituent Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, recruits volunteers from all over Russia and, after a short training at the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, sends them to the front. The signing of the contract is related to the order of the Defense Minister, according to which all Russian "volunteer units" must enter into contracts with the Ministry by Jul. 1. More details about the order can be found in yesterday’s summary.
The advertising campaign for the contract service continues. Agitation tents were noticed at the locations of festive events celebrating Russia Day in Perm, in the center of Yaroslavl (from where they were later transported to Tutaev), in Izhevsk, and Volgograd.
Mobilized Soldiers and Volunteer Fighters
The lists of mobilized soldiers killed in the war were updated with Yan Trofimov from the Kaluga region, as well as Yevgeny Domyshev and Dagba Dambaev from Buryatia [Russia’s constituent republic].
Mobilized soldiers currently stationed in the rear told the Vyorstka media outlet that the command was planning to send their fellow soldiers to the frontline south of the town of Orekhov. At the moment, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively trying to advance on the Russian positions there. According to the mobilized soldiers, the efforts of the command may be hindered by low morale in reserve units.
Sentences, Legal Proceedings, and Incidents
The Kyakhta Garrison Military Court held hearings of two criminal cases related to abuse of power with violence. Officers accused of beating conscripts were let off with just fines. (They paid their fines against the sentences, which under the article can range from 3 to 10 years in prison). Among the extenuating circumstances, the court mentioned the participation of one of the defendants in the "special military operation."
The Russian court upheld the sentence of Denis Narolskiy, a soldier of the Russian Armed Forces from Crimea, who refused to participate in the war with Ukraine. The Crimean Garrison Military Court sentenced Narolskiy to nine years in a strict regime colony for desertion.
According to the "Freedom of Russia Legion," in the Chelyabinsk region, unknown people set fire to railroad relay cabinets, while placing the Legion's symbols and the inscription "For New Kakhovka" on them. Earlier, there was information about the arson of relay cabinets on the Khrebet—Syrostan stretch near Chelyabinsk. Then four cabinets were burnt at once. The incident occurred at night, Jun. 6-7; the Legion’s post was dated Jun. 9.
On June 12, Russian independent media outlets held a marathon of solidarity with political prisoners and all Russians opposed to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. By the time this summary was published, 30 million rubles ($357,654 as of 06.13) had been collected. You can also support political prisoners by writing a letter to them.
Assistance
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova announced that Russian students will be sent to reconstruct the destroyed and occupied Mariupol. This year, over 200,000 people are planned to be recruited into student brigades. Golikova also emphasized the importance of student labor in defense and industrial enterprises.
In Saransk and Izhevsk, a mass action was held to weave camouflage nets for the needs of the front in honor of Russia Day.
ROKOT Samara Center of initial military training organized a fundraising campaign to send aid to military personnel affected by the flood (the appeal states that they lost all their belongings) from the 1445th Regiment. Over the past week, new fundraising initiatives have appeared in the chats of other regions. However, some users are outraged that not all chat participants contribute to assisting the fighting army.
In the city of Kyakhta, Buryatia, activists expressed their outrage over the low amount of money contributed by residents for the war. On Jun. 11, the national holiday of Surkhaban was celebrated in the city. During the festivities, activists from the Prometheus headquarters managed to collect only 3,000 rubles in donations to support the military. An additional 5,000 rubles was contributed by the head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov. The activists are expecting additional funding from the authorities. The funds will be used to purchase a vehicle and communication equipment for the fighters.
Children
The first military-patriotic session has commenced at a camp located in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, where teenagers aged 14 to 17 are being mentored by instructors from a special forces school in Chechnya. This camp was previously mentioned in our summaries.
The Ne Norma [Not a norm] Telegram channel has prepared a review of events dedicated to Russia Day in educational institutions across the country. Children were educated about the war, recited poems from Poetry of the Russian Zummer [collection of pro-war poems], showcased weapons, and participated in drawing contests centered around the theme of war.
As stated by Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia, many participants of the war in Ukraine are joining schools as educators and mentors after demobilization. According to the official, "while knowledge can be acquired from textbooks, convictions are only transmitted through personal example."
Miscellaneous
The demographic policy report of the Rostov region government notes the population’s high death rate and migration outflow overseas in the first half of 2022, and the growth in marriages compared to 2021. As reported by Forbes, up to 1 million people left Russia since the mobilization began, while the BBC’s estimate suggests that this figure could reach 3.4 million.
A deputy and residents of an apartment building in Krasnoyarsk demand that the bomb shelter in the building’s basement be returned to state ownership. It had been rented out as early as 2002 and was sold later, although the law requires that any shelter shall be state-owned and shall not be privatized.