Russian serviceman hit with criminal charges for failing to obey order during wartime. This is the first recorded case of this kind

A regional military investigation department of the Russian Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against a contract serviceman for failing to obey an order during wartime, head of the Agora human rights group Pavel Chikov said on his Telegram channel.

The new criminal charges were added to the Russian Criminal Code on 24 September, shortly after the “partial mobilisation” in Russia began, Chikov points out.

The contract serviceman “failed to obey the order on embarking on a tour of duty to take part in combat activity, thus refusing to participate in combat activity”, the investigation claims.

The soldier faces from two to three years behind bars.

It is not specified which region initiated the criminal proceedings.

On 24 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a package of amendments to the Criminal Code related to military service. The amendments include a punishment of up to ten years of imprisonment for voluntary surrender into captivity and refusal to participate in hostilities during martial law or armed conflict if the refusal “caused grave consequences”.

The amendments also introduce a punishment from 6 to 15 years behind bars for looting.