Europe 1 with AFP 4:48 p.m., September 24, 2022

While many Russians are leaving the country after Vladimir Putin's latest announcements, Russia has announced increased prison sentences for those who refuse to fight.

They risk up to ten years in prison.

On the other hand, foreigners who wish to join will be able to apply for Russian nationality more easily.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed amendments on Saturday providing for up to ten years in prison for soldiers who surrender or refuse to fight during mobilization, as is currently the case.

These amendments to the Penal Code, which had been voted on by Parliament this week, have been published on the government's legal portal and have therefore entered into force.

In particular, they provide for penalties of up to ten years in prison for soldiers who desert, surrender "without authorization" to the enemy, refuse to fight or disobey orders during mobilization.

Acts of looting are also punishable by sentences of up to fifteen years in prison.

These legislative changes come as Russia this week decreed a partial mobilization of reservists to fight in Ukraine, where Moscow's forces have suffered setbacks in recent weeks.

This mobilization order, which according to the authorities concerns 300,000 people, has aroused the concern of many Russians, some choosing to leave the country. 

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Commit to obtain Russian nationality more easily

At a time when Moscow is trying by all means to recruit more men to go to the front in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin also signed a law on Saturday which facilitates access to Russian nationality for foreigners joining the army.

According to this law, also published on the government's legal portal, foreigners who join the army for a period of at least one year will be able to apply for nationality, without having to justify the five years of residence on Russian territory normally required. .

This measure seems to be aimed primarily at immigrants from the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, who occupy the most difficult jobs in large cities, such as Moscow.

The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, also announced on Tuesday the forthcoming opening of a recruitment office within the sprawling administrative center of Sakharov, a place of compulsory passage for migrants.

Even before Vladimir Putin signed the law, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan had called on their nationals this week not to take part in any conflict.