The influence of martial law on criminal punishment in Russia (18th – early 20th century): a historical and legal perspective

The study focuses on the practice of applying criminal punishments in Russia from the 18th to the early 20th century, highlighting differences between peacetime and wartime. Special emphasis is placed on the legislative acts of Peter I, which established a system of punishments aimed at maintaining discipline and strengthening defense. The evolution of criminal legislation in the post-Petrine period, particularly the Penal and Correctional Code of 1845 and the Military Punishment Statute of 1869, which significantly altered sentencing approaches, is analyzed. The importance of considering historical and sociocultural factors in modern criminal law practices for effectively responding to current challenges is highlighted. The work helps to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of Russian criminal legislation, its dependency on external threats and internal political changes, and identifies the continuity of principles established in previous historical epochs.