Russian Parliament Bans Firms From Refusing Deals With Military

A new set of economic measures targeted at helping Russia's military was approved by the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, according to CNN's Uliana Pavlova.

Photo Insert: The new measures by the State Duma practically suggest that the country is reshaping its industry in support of the ongoing invasion, effectively putting the country on a war economy footing.

There are numerous rounds of parliamentary procedure remaining, but if the laws are passed, legal organizations in Russia will be unable to decline contracts with the Russian Armed Forces.

Although Russian officials continue to refer to the conflict in Ukraine as a "special military operation," the new measures practically suggest that the country is reshaping its industry in support of the ongoing invasion, effectively putting the country on a war economy footing.

In his statement, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov noted the "enormous sanction pressure" from the West.

“The bills introduce the obligation of organizations to conclude contracts in order to ensure counter-terrorism and other operations outside the territory of the Russian Federation, and also grant the rights to contractors to purchase products necessary to fulfill the State Defense Order from a single supplier," Borisov said as quoted by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

To become law, the economic measures must go through second and third readings in the State Duma, be examined by the upper chamber of parliament, and be signed by President Vladimir Putin.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. While it has gained land in eastern Ukraine, it has also incurred significant casualties in terms of army manpower and equipment.

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