Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly signed a bill amending the law to expand opportunities for stateless persons and foreigners to serve in the Russian military.
According to foreign media reports on July 8, President Putin approved a bill the previous day that revises military service procedures to allow individuals without Russian citizenship to serve in the Russian military under contract.
Under this amendment, stateless persons can now sign enlistment contracts with the Russian military, and if they enter into a service contract for more than one year, they will be able to apply for Russian citizenship through a simplified process without the previous five-year residency requirement. In addition, stateless persons with military service records, as well as their families, will be eligible for pensions and social welfare benefits.
Foreigners who sign contracts with the Russian military will be able to serve not only during emergencies or periods of martial law, but also during mobilization periods, and may discontinue their service if they wish. However, this does not apply to those designated as "foreign agents," a term referring to espionage activities.
Foreign media explained that the purpose of this legal amendment is "to urgently introduce additional measures to replenish the ranks of the Russian military."
Russia has also deployed prisoners to the front lines in order to avoid domestic backlash. There are also predictions that this amendment could be used as a means to mobilize not only stateless persons, but also residents of occupied territories in Ukraine for military service.
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