Kremlin: Putin’s draft decree still in effect

Some provisions of the mobilisation decree in Russia continue to be in effect but citizens are no longer drafted for military service as part of it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“The draft as part of the partial mobilisation was carried out until the total number [of service members] required to implement tasks set out by the armed forces was reached. The Defence Ministry reported that that number was reached, which meant that the draft of citizens as part of the partial mobilisation was stopped and completed,” Peskov said as quoted by Interfax.

However, apart from the military draft the mobilisation also includes “other arrangements necessary for the armed forces to complete their tasks”, and the decree is still active in this part, the Kremlin spokesman added. He refused to specify the provisions in question, however, it is particularly relating to the classified decree provision (which is likely to contain the information about the number of drafted people — editor’s note).

On 17 January, Artur Gayduk, member of the Pskov regional council, received a response from the presidential administration to his inquiry which said that the presidential decree on partial mobilisation was still active.

On 28 October, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to Putin that the national draft campaign was completed. According to the army chief, “the set goal of 300,000 was achieved, no other mobilisation orders are planned”. Putin himself announced it three days later. At the same time, no decree has been issued to legally end mobilisation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that no such document is required.

Lawyer Pavel Chikov notes that unlike martial law which are regulated by law the completion of mobilisation is not set out legally. Ending mobilisation will strip the authorities of the opportunity to announce more mobilisation campaigns if needed without a new decree, the lawyer believes.