Russian media report that kremlin is discussing possible imposition of martial law following State Duma elections

Russian government circles are discussing the possibility of imposing martial law or certain elements of it following the State Duma elections. However, no final decision has been made on this matter yet.

It was reported by the independent russian publication “Verstka.”

According to the publication, several sources in federal and regional government bodies of the russian federation, as well as a representative of the leadership of one of the opposition factions in the State Duma, spoke about these discussions.

As noted, under russian law, a presidential decree specifying the date and time of its entry into force is sufficient to impose martial law.

If such a decision is made, sweeping restrictions could be imposed, including:

• suspension of the activities of political parties and civil society organizations;
• a ban on mass gatherings;
• cancellation of elections;
• tightening of censorship;
• the imposition of a curfew and restrictions on movement;
• the possibility of conscripting civilians and requisitioning property for defense purposes.

According to two political strategists who work with the Kremlin, this scenario is supported by some security agencies, which believe the country must move toward a full mobilization of resources.

One of the sources suggested that setbacks on the front lines or problems with army recruitment could trigger such a decision.

At the same time, a source within the leadership of one of the russian federation’s parliamentary factions noted that a final decision may not be made, since the official imposition of martial law would alter the current model, under which most russians are not formally involved in the war.

“Verstka” also noted that certain elements of martial law are already effectively in place in russia. In particular, strict military censorship has been imposed in the country: journalists may face criminal charges for publishing information that contradicts the official position of the russian Ministry of Defense, and media outlets may face the revocation of their licenses.

In addition, russia has already imposed martial law in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Regions.

As a reminder, the russian National Guard has updated its civil defense regulations, adding for the first time provisions on protection against “threats during mobilization, martial law, and wartime.”