Putin legalizes Russian looting in Ukraine by his decree - ISW

This is reported by the Institute for the Study of War. 

American analysts point out that Putin has opened the door for further institutionalization of corruption through manipulation of the Russian domestic legal system. On December 29, he approved a decree that exempts all Russian officials, including military and law enforcement officers, from the obligation to publish income declarations. 

The decree applies to military servicemen, law enforcement officers, persons serving in the Russian National Guard, employees of the penitentiary and investigative system, as well as persons in positions in the temporarily occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. 

The decree also lifts the ban on the receipt of "charitable" gifts by military personnel in connection with participation in hostilities in Ukraine. 

The Insider noted that this decree may actually allow Russian officials involved in the war to seize private property of Ukrainian residents in the occupied territories, as such property can be legally classified as "charitable gifts". 

• On December 13, the Russian State Duma approved a draft law on the abolishment of criminal liability for crimes committed in the occupied Ukrainian territories "to protect the Russian interests".
• December 15, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak called the decision of the Russian Federation to abolish responsibility for crimes committed by Russians in the occupied territories of Ukraine legalization of rape, murder and looting.