Russian State Duma approves first reading of bill holding volunteer fighters criminally accountable for military offenses

The Russian State Duma passed the first reading of a bill extending criminal liability for military service violations to those fighting in volunteer units during periods of mobilization or martial law, wartime, or in the context of armed conflict. Volunteers will face charges for desertion, voluntary surrender, insubordination, destruction or loss of military property, and unauthorized abandonment of service.

In November 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law equating volunteers to military personnel, granting them all the social guarantees and compensations provided for members of the Russian army.