A lawmaker from the main ruling United Russia political party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, has submitted a request to be sent to fight in the “special military operation” – what Russia calls its war in Ukraine – said the party’s press service in a statement on Saturday.
Oleg Kolesnikov, a member of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of Competition, said he has military experience and is a reserve major, according to the statement.
“I served in the Soviet army in Poland. I was the commander of a self-propelled artillery gun. I graduated with the rank of foreman, now major reserve. And I have to do my duty,” he said.
According to the United Russia statement, requests were also received from Dmitry Khubezov, chairman of the State Duma Health Protection Committee; Dmitry Sablin, Vice President of the Defense Committee; Vitaly Milonov, Vice President of the Family, Women and Children Committee; and Sergei Sokol, vice-chairman of the Economic Policy Committee and secretary of the Khakass regional branch of United Russia.
The requests will be considered by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the party said.
“Several regional and municipal deputies of United Russia will join the special military operation, many of them decided to volunteer,” the statement said.
Some background: The announcement comes as protesters rallied in cities across Russia against Putin’s declaration of “partial mobilization” this week to support the war in Ukraine. Some arrested protesters were recruited directly into the army, according to a monitoring group.
Experts say Russia’s forces have been significantly depleted. The announcement would involve the call-up of 300,000 reservists, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Russia’s Human Rights Council has proposed that immigrants from Central Asian countries who have held Russian citizenship for less than 10 years undergo mandatory military service in Russia for a year, in the first sign of how Moscow is intensifying their efforts.