Russia’s presidential administration: mobilisation decree still in effect

The Russian president’s decree on “partial mobilisation” is still in effect, Artur Gayduk, member of the Pskov regional council, was told in a letter by the presidential administration in response to his appeal.

In late November, Gayduk filed an appeal addressed to Vladimir Putin containing a proposal to issue a decree to end the partial mobilisation.

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.

“We mean whether a decree is needed after the final announcement of Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu about the completion of partial mobilisation. The president said that he would seek legal advice. We inform you that such a decree is not necessary,” Peskov said.

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.