Co-author of amendments to the Criminal Code on mobilization Vyatkin explained why deputies cannot leave to fight

State Duma deputy Dmitry Vyatkin (United Russia) argues that it would be “the easiest decision” for parliamentarians to go to war. However, according to him, the deputies cannot do this, because they are obliged to “convey the importance of the situation” to the people. Mr. Vyatkin is one of the co-authors of the amendments to introduce the concepts of “mobilization” and “martial law” into the Criminal Code. This law of the State Duma on the eve accepted immediately in the second and third reading. Today, September 21, Vladimir Putin announced in Russia, partial mobilization.

Today meeting State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said that deputies and employees of the Duma could become volunteers in the military operation in Ukraine. He urged MPs to “ask themselves what kind of aid would be effective.” As Dmitry Vyatkin stated during his speech, “sometimes it seems that, probably, to get away from the decision here (in the State Duma.— “b”) problems and write a statement, go to the front – this is probably the easiest solution.

“But behind us, behind each of us, behind all our parties, there are citizens. Who live, it would seem, an ordinary peaceful life. We will see – as if there are two realities: one front-line, one peaceful – holidays, fireworks over every city. All pleasure meetings are full of people. Nevertheless, we have the duty and responsibility to convey the importance and criticality of the current situation to everyone with whom we can talk, whom we can reach, ”the deputy is convinced.

On the intention to go to war in Ukraine at a meeting of the State Duma declared only deputy Yuri Shvytkin (United Russia), who participated in the war in Chechnya. He sent six applications for mobilization. Mr. Volodin promised to consider and satisfy them.

Vice Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy assured that “if the Motherland needs it,” the deputies are ready to “stand in line.” “Another question is that now we are doing the work that, without us, probably, hardly anyone will do,” says Mr. Tolstoy. To a clarifying question about his readiness to “stand in line,” he replied: “We are all in it anyway.”

adopted by the State Duma and approved By the Federation Council, the law on amendments to the Criminal Code provides for a prison term for leaving a unit during the period of hostilities and failure to comply with the order of the commander. Voluntary surrender is punishable by up to ten years. The Criminal Code also introduces the concepts of “mobilization”, “martial law” and “wartime”. The initiators of the amendments are senators Andrei Klishas and Olga Kovitidi, as well as nine deputies: Dmitry Vyatkin, Ernest Valeev, Vasily Piskarev, Andrey Kartapolov (all from United Russia), Leonid Slutsky (LDPR), Oleg Nilov (“A Just Russia is for truth”), Vladislav Davankov (“New People”), Viktor Sobolev, Nikolai Kolomeitsev (both from the Communist Party). Mr. Kartapolov the day before arguedthat the adopted amendments to the Criminal Code are not preparation for general mobilization.

On the Russian military operation in Ukraine and its consequences – in online broadcasts “b”.

Laura Keffer