The Supreme Court confirmed that the mobilization in Russia continues

The mobilization announced by the Russian president cannot be considered complete, according to the explanations of the plenum of the Supreme Court. The decree is still in effect and no separate document is required for a new summons.

The court explained that the mobilization would only end once the “date and time” of its cancellation had been determined. After that, it will be possible to demobilize those who have already been called up, and contract soldiers will have the option to leave the service.

Also the Supreme Court for the first time defined what is considered “time of war” the Russian BBC service noticed. The plenum indicated that this is the period from the declaration of war or the actual commencement of hostilities until their actual end.

After the announcement of the mobilization, changes were made to the Criminal Code, which significantly tightened the penalty for unauthorized departure from the place of service, desertion and surrender. “Time of war” became an aggravating circumstance in such acts, but what was meant by this was not previously clarified.

Now the courts in Russia can recognize the current time as military time – for example, based on the decoding of the term “military action” on the website of the Ministry of Defense.

Putin announced the mobilization on September 21. It lasted until October 28, the decree on its completion has not been signed. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the summons of 318,000 people, including 18,000 “volunteers”. The minister then said the army would need another 350,000. people to form formations in the annexed regions of Ukraine and “guarantee the solution of the tasks of ensuring military security” of the country.

The Russian authorities again started talking about mobilization in anticipation of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The former head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, now a member of the State Duma, Alexander Borodai, stressed that the already appointed reservists “may not be enough”. Following him, his colleague Mikhail Sheremet announced the mobilization. Also, the former head of Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, pointed out the lack of soldiers at the front and the need for a new conscription.