Modern Trends in the Development of Military Criminal Law in Russia

Introduction: the article is devoted to the analysis of modern trends in the development of military criminal law in Russia through the prism of its September 2022 reform. Purpose: to study changes in the Criminal Code of Russia introduced by the legislator in September 2022 and to identify their positive and negative aspects. On the basis of generalization of Soviet and modern experience of some post-Soviet countries to determine necessary changes in the current domestic and international situation to maintain a high combat readiness of the Russian army by improving the maintenance of military law and order. Methods: historical, comparative-legal, empirical methods of description and interpretation, theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic, legal-dogmatic method and a method of legal norm interpretation. Results: consideration of historical and contemporary military events and a socio-political situation in general shows merits of the changes introduced by the legislator, however, there is a need for their significant improvement. Conclusion: since military service during wartime is of paramount importance for national security, it is necessary to improve legislation on crimes against military service, especially during mobilization, and law enforcement practice, which would enhance protection of state interests during wartime. Evasion of mobilization and unjustified surrender of means of warfare to the enemy should be criminalized. This will in one way or another affect combat effectiveness of the Russian army. Stiffening responsibility for military crimes will have a preventive effect.