Russian President Vladimir Putting has issued a decree permitting to recruit foreigners serving in the Russian army on contractual basis for “participation in activities on maintenance or establishment of international peace and security or prevention of international terrorist activity outside the Russian Federation,” according to Russian RBC news agency.
Recall, by decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin in January 15 foreign nationals can serve in the Russian military.
The decree allows foreigners aged 18-30 to sign up for five-year service contracts with the Russian armed forces, Interior Ministry troops, or the state firefighting service.
The foreign nationals are eligible only if they speak Russian and have no criminal record.
The 2015 decree also suggests that foreign soldiers may now be sent abroad in “wartime” situations.
“Military members who are foreign citizens can participate in tasks related to military situations and also during armed conflicts,” the decree reads, adding that such measures are in accordance with Russian and international law.
The issue of foreign fighters has been frequently raised in Russia. A draft decree permitting foreign soldiers was posted on the Defense Ministry website in 2010, when Dmitry Medvedev was president, but never signed.
