“No protection for MPs”
Duma chief calls on politicians for military service
09/22/2022, 11:55 am
By ordering partial mobilization, Putin wants to compensate for Russian losses in Ukraine. Duma chief Volodin is now encouraging parliamentarians to take up arms as well. Some deputies are already deployed in the Donbass, he claims.
After the order for partial mobilization, the head of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, called on the deputies of the State Duma to take part in the war in Ukraine. “Anyone who meets the requirements of partial mobilization should help by participating in the military special operation,” said the Duma chief in his Telegram news channel. “There is no protection for MPs.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial mobilization on Wednesday. 300,000 reservists with combat experience are to be drafted. The head of parliament was reacting to the not uncommon opinion in parliamentary circles that Putin’s call for national defense does not apply to them. One member of parliament said he was needed in the country. At the same time, Volodin praised the fact that there are parliamentarians who are already deployed in Donbass. According to him, only reservists with combat experience and special military training are drafted.
Putin’s confidante also acknowledged that “issues are arising that concern our citizens” following street protests and reports of mass exodus of young Russians from the country. Volodin said that Russian troops in Ukraine are also fighting “NATO forces” today. “In Ukraine there are NATO trainers, mercenaries from NATO countries, NATO equipment, weapons and ammunition,” he said. 1000 kilometers of front line would have to be defended there.
Due to high losses, Russia is struggling with significant personnel problems in Ukraine. The Kremlin has increasingly relied on volunteers in recent months. According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian armed forces also recruit prisoners, use elements of the Russian security services and covertly mobilize men from the partially occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.