Putin signs law to conscript people convicted of heinous crimes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing the mobilization of people who have committed murder, robbery or other serious crimes.

The Russian government said late last month that the mobilization of 300,000 reserves had been completed. It added that no additional mobilization was planned.

But the US think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, said on Friday that Putin is “likely setting conditions to continue covert mobilization.” It said the move suggests “partial mobilization did not generate sufficient forces for Putin’s maximalist goals in Ukraine.”

Russia is continuing its attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine. The governor of the eastern Donetsk region said on Sunday that one person had died and three were injured.

In the southern Kherson region, Ukrainian forces are believed to be advancing to the city of Kherson. There are signs that Russian troops may be preparing to withdraw from the strategically important city.