Provisions on protection against threats during periods of mobilisation, martial law and wartime have been added to the Rosgvardia’s civil defence regulations for the first time. The Centre for Countering Disinformation has stated that this indicates the Kremlin’s security apparatus is preparing in advance for mass protests following the announcement of mobilisation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Putin plans to announce mobilisation after the State Duma elections on 21 September.
Briefly about the main points
- Provisions covering periods of mobilisation, martial law and wartime have been added to the Rosgvardia’s civil defence regulations.
- The CPD regards this as the Kremlin’s security apparatus preparing for possible mass protests.
- Zelenskyy stated that Putin plans to announce a mobilisation following the State Duma elections on 21 September.
- The Russian National Guard has the authority to maintain public order and ensure public safety.
New provisions in the civil defence regulations
Provisions on protection against threats arising during periods of mobilisation, martial law and wartime have been added to the Rosgvardia’s civil defence regulations for the first time.
This refers to the agency’s regulatory preparations for operating in circumstances relating to mobilisation and war.
The CPD links the changes to the risk of protests
The Centre for Countering Disinformation has reported that such moves indicate that the Kremlin’s security apparatus had been preparing in advance for mass protests following the announcement of mobilisation.
This is the Centre for Political Analysis’s assessment of the possible consequences of mobilisation and the role of the security forces in the event of internal tensions in Russia.
The Functions of the Russian National Guard and Internal Security
The Russian National Guard has powers, as defined by law, to maintain public order, ensure public safety, counter «extremism» and enforce states of emergency and martial law. Its units include, in particular, OMON and SOBR.
In April, the agency reported on a large-scale command-and-staff exercise taking place across almost the whole of Russia, involving the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Federal Penitentiary Service and the Ministry of Defence. Officially, the stated aim was to coordinate efforts to «stabilise the situation» in the regions under the most adverse scenarios.
What did Zelenskyy say about mobilisation?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that, following the State Duma elections on 21 September, Putin plans to announce mobilisation.
According to the President of Ukraine, recruiting more contract soldiers would require significantly higher expenditure, whereas the mobilisation mechanism makes it possible to avoid such costs.
