Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed amendments which impose tougher penalties for desertion and draft evasion.

Those who refuse to be conscripted, flee from the military, disobey or resist orders will be punished with up to 15 years of imprisonment.

The amendments apply during wartime, martial law, and mobilization.

With the amendments, the punishments apply to both mobilized reservists and professional soldiers.

The Russian military is said to face serious personnel shortages and deteriorating morale as some soldiers refuse to fight in Ukraine.

Putin could be trying to ensure the partial mobilization which he announced last Wednesday goes smoothly.