They will not need to speak Russian, or know the history of Russia or the most basic laws. But the decree signed yesterday 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 armed forces of Russia or another military formation of the country during the “special military campaign” in Ukraine, he will have the right to obtain a Russian passport in through a simplified process. The term “military formation” can be applied to organizations such as the mercenaries of the Wagner Group.
Those who wish to become Russian must only present the documents that certify that the duration of the contract was at least one year.
The measure also refers to those who have been dismissed from service for health reasons during the so-called “special military operation”, for having reached the age limit or in case the military contract has expired. In addition, it is extended to direct family members: spouses, parents and children.
President Putin’s decree could be intended to be 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, explained deputy Aleksandr Khinxtein, who chairs the committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications in the Duma ( Lower House).
Khinxtein said that after obtaining Russian citizenship, foreigners who 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 in court for being hired as mercenaries. “Now the problem will be solved 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!”, reminded the politician on his Telegram channel.
Putin’s decree allows foreigners who have participated in the campaign in Ukraine to be exempt from the general rules for obtaining citizenship. In essence, they will not need to pass the exams on knowledge of the Russian language, on the history of Russia and on the fundamentals of Russian legislation.
Likewise, they will not be required to have lived for five years permanently in Russia with a valid residence permit. And they will not be denied a passport even if they have pending criminal records or even if they have participated in armed conflicts in other places, as is the case with the rest of the candidates.
The need for personnel to fight in Ukraine prompted 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 allowed 300,000 reservists to be recruited.
In recent months there have been rumors in Russia that the government is preparing a second mobilization. But the authorities have repeatedly denied it. Putin himself assured in his annual press conference in December that “there is no need”.
