Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree in a move that could help bolster the ranks of the military as Moscow continues to pursue its military campaign in Ukraine.
On Monday, November 14, Russian President Putin signed a decree amending the regulations for foreign nationals to serve in the Russian Army.
According to the document published on Russia’s official portal of legal information, the decree changes the procedure for “peacetime military service by citizens of the Russian Federation and those of foreign nationality.”
“Military service is to be performed by soldiers, sailors, sergeants, petty officers who are citizens including those having citizenship (nationality) of a foreign state or residence permit or other document confirming the right for permanent residence of a citizen on the territory of a foreign state on a voluntary basis (under contract) or under a contract in the Armed Forces and military formations,” the decree states.
“The contract cannot be concluded with a foreign citizen in respect of whom a guilty verdict was pronounced and punishment was imposed, in respect of whom an enquiry or preliminary investigation or a criminal case is conducted, and also if this citizen has an unexpunged criminal record or is under administrative punishment for the use of drugs.”
Back in September, Vladimir Putin signed a law making it easier for foreigners, who signed a contract to serve in the Russian army for at least a year, to obtain citizenship.
On September 24, as part of the new law signed by President Putin, foreigners serving in the Russian army will be able to apply for Russian citizenship without a residence permit and without residence uninterruptedly for five years in Russia, which was required by the ‘old’ legislation.
