It will not be necessary for them to speak Russian, nor to know the history of Russia or the most basic laws. But the decree signed this Thursday by President Vladimir Putin allows any foreigner who fights in Ukraine with Russian forces during the current military campaign to easily become a Russian citizen.
According to the document issued by the head of the Kremlin, if a foreigner signs a contract with the Russian Armed Forces or with another military formation of the country during the “special military campaign” in Ukraine, he will have the right to obtain a Russian passport through of a simplified process. The term “military formation” can be applied to organizations such as the Wagner Group mercenaries.
Anyone wishing to become Russian must only present documents proving that the duration of the contract was at least one year.
The measure also refers to those who have been dismissed from the service for health reasons during the so-called “special military operation” here, for having reached the age limit or in case the military contract has expired. In addition, it is extended to the direct members of your family: spouses, parents and children.
Putin’s decree could be intended as an incentive for foreigners with military experience to join the Russian ranks.
In fact, almost automatically granting them citizenship can add a measure of protection in some cases, as explained by deputy Alexander Jinshtéin, who chairs the Commission on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications in the Duma (Lower House). ).
Jinshtein has said that, after obtaining Russian citizenship, foreigners who have participated in the campaign in Ukraine as part of Russian military formations can no longer be extradited to their country of origin if it claims them judicially for having been hired as mercenaries. “Now the problem will be resolved with the extradition of veterans of the special military operation to other countries, where they would be punished” for having participated in a war abroad. “Russia does not extradite its citizens!” recalled the politician on his Telegram channel.
Putin’s decree allows foreigners who have participated in the campaign in Ukraine to waive the general rules for obtaining citizenship. In essence, they will not need to pass exams on knowledge of the Russian language, on the history of Russia and on the foundations of Russian legislation.
Likewise, they will not be required to have lived permanently in Russia for five years with a valid residence permit. And they will not be denied a passport even if they have an outstanding criminal record or even if they have participated in armed conflicts elsewhere, as is the case with the rest of the candidates.
The need for personnel to fight in Ukraine motivated Putin to decree a partial military mobilization in the fall of 2022, the first since World War II. The mobilization was very unpopular and caused hundreds of thousands of men to leave Russia, but it allowed 300,000 reservists to be recruited.
In recent months there have been rumors in Russia that the power would be preparing a second mobilization. But the authorities have repeatedly denied this. Putin himself assured in his annual press conference in December that “there is no need.”
The figures seem to support him. The Kremlin has assured several times that in 2023 hundreds of thousands of men will have voluntarily signed contracts with the Armed Forces to become professional soldiers. And the RBK newspaper, citing a report from the Russian Armed Forces, noted last month that a total of 640,000 people currently serve in the Army on professional contracts.
