Russian soldiers who refuse to fight during periods of martial law will face stricter punishment, the country’s parliament has decreed, in a sign the Kremlin may be considering full military mobilisation.

Russia’s State Duma rushed through a bill on Tuesday introducing extra penalties for crimes such as desertion during times of martial law and general mobilisation. It also singled out “voluntary surrender” and looting as separate crimes punishable by imprisonment of 10 years and 15 years, respectively.

The bill, which still needs to be signed off by Putin, is the clearest sign yet that the Kremlin is laying the groundwork for general mobilisation, which up until now it has avoided.

It comes amid a lightning-fast Ukrainian counter-offensive and a mounting Russian manpower crisis.

Meanwhile, Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region said on Tuesday that they will hold referenda on becoming part of Russia from September 23 to 27.

According to a poll by state broadcaster RIA Novosti between 80 per cent and 91 per cent of residents in occupied areas are keen to join Russia. Their integration into Russia would represent a major escalation of the military action in Ukraine.

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