The Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, on December 21 approved the final reading of a bill that would allow life sentences for those convicted of assisting "saboteurs." The bill was pushed through as several explosions and fires hit Russian military bases, energy facilities, and infrastructure since Moscow started its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February. A day earlier, President Vladimir Putin called on security forces “to strictly clamp down on foreign intelligence activities, and discover traitors spies, and saboteurs quickly.” To read the original story from RFE/RL's North.Realities, click here. See also: In Photos: Outbreak Of Mystery Fires Hits Russia.
Russian Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Life Sentence For Assisting Saboteurs
A fire at a section of a main gas pipeline near the village of Yambakhtino in Chuvashia on December 20.