Russian parliament votes to censor criticism of mercenary groups

MOSCOW, March 14 — Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, voted today to approve an amendment that would punish those found guilty of discrediting “volunteer” groups fighting in Ukraine, extending a law that censors criticism of Russia’s armed forces.

The amendment is seen as a move to “protect” fighters working for the private Wagner Group, a mercenary force, which is leading Russia’s campaign for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has welcomed the proposals - an expansion of Russia’s wartime censorship measures introduced after Moscow invaded Ukraine. — Reuters