Putin signs decree for foreign citizens to join army

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Nov 2022 20:40
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Previously, only persons who are citizens of the Russian Federation could serve on conscription, but now Russians with a second citizenship or residence permit can be drafted into the army.

Putin signs a decree for Russians with dual citizenship to join the army.

Citizens of the Russian Federation who also have foreign citizenship or a residence permit abroad can be drafted into the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation as per the decree Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified on Monday, whereby he amended the regulations on the procedure for military service.

"Citizens who are not in the military service, who have expressed a desire to enter military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to replace military positions... who have citizenship of a foreign state or a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence on the territory of a foreign state, as well as citizens who have citizenship of a foreign state or a residence permit or other document... and foreign citizens who have expressed a desire to enter military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to replace military positions must submit applications to the military enlistment office's under the contract," the decree said.

Earlier, the regulation stated that Russian citizens can serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation under conscription or under contract, and foreigners - only under contract and only in the ranks of private and sergeant staff.

On these points, nothing changes in the new version of the document either for Russians or for foreigners. At the same time, it is prescribed that citizens of the Russian Federation who have "citizenship (citizenship) of a foreign state or a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence of a citizen in the territory of a foreign state" can serve in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation upon conscription.

On November 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Tver Governor Igor Rudenya that about 80,000 citizens are mobilized in the zone of the special operation, of which 50,000 are in the combat zone.

On October 28, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin that the goal to mobilize 300,000 citizens in Russia has been reached, and no additional activities are required.

The Defense Minister stated that "during the partial mobilization, more than 1,300 representatives of executive authorities of various levels, over 27,000 entrepreneurs, 13,000 citizens were called upon and sent to the troops, without waiting for the summons, expressed a desire to fulfill their duty and were sent to the troops as volunteers. The average age of mobilized citizens is 35 years," adding that the Russian military will only accept volunteers from now on.