In a bold move, President Vladimir Putin has authorized a decree offering Russian citizenship to foreign nationals participating in what Russia terms its “special military operation” in Ukraine. The decree allows individuals who have enlisted through contracts during this operation to apply for Russian citizenship for themselves, along with their immediate families.
Eligibility extends to those who have committed to a minimum one-year contract with Russia’s regular armed forces or other associated “military formations,” a category potentially encompassing groups like the Wagner mercenary organization.
This decision is seen as a strategic step to incentivize individuals with prior military experience from abroad to join forces alongside Russia. While specific statistics regarding the number of foreign fighters aligned with Russia in Ukraine remain undisclosed by Moscow, reports have previously highlighted instances such as Cubans receiving substantial bonuses exceeding 100 times the average Cuban monthly salary in exchange for military service, and African individuals recruited by Wagner, some of whom lost their lives in action.
Putin’s decree marks an expansion of efforts to attract foreign personnel to support Russian military objectives, further shaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
