By conscription and on a voluntary basis: Putin signed a decree on the service of foreign citizens in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Putin signed a decree providing for the possibility of conscript service in the Russian Armed Forces of citizens of the Russian Federation who also have foreign citizenship.

Corresponding changes were made to the regulation on the procedure for military service, approved in 1999.

According to the document, military service on conscription is carried out by soldiers, sergeants, sailors, foremen who are citizens of the Russian Federation, “including those who have citizenship of a foreign state or a residence permit or other document confirming the right to permanent residence of a citizen on the territory of a foreign state.”

Along with this, the possibility of contract service is introduced for persons who have the citizenship of another state.

In addition, prohibitions are being introduced on concluding a contract with citizens, including foreigners, who are under investigation, as well as those foreigners who have an unexpunged criminal record or have served a sentence of imprisonment.

Along with this, it is forbidden to conclude a contract with foreign citizens who have received administrative punishment for the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor's prescription.

It should be noted that on September 24, Putin also signed a law simplifying the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by foreigners who have entered into a contract for military service.

It follows from this document that foreigners who have entered into a military contract will be able to apply for Russian citizenship without a residence permit and without residing in the country continuously for five years.

Mobilization issues

On November 13, Putin signed a law on the demobilization of students from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics called up for military service.

As the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov explained, the head of state instructed to demobilize students and organize a return to the place of study due to the fact that the People's Militia forces were integrated into the RF Armed Forces after the DPR and LPR joined Russia.

Also on russian.rt.com “Organize a return to the place of study”: Putin instructed to demobilize students of the DPR and LPR

Recall that the Donbass republics became part of Russia along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions following the results of referendums held in these regions from September 23 to 27.

The signing ceremony of the agreements on the entry of four new subjects into the Russian Federation took place on September 30.

Meanwhile, in the DPR and LPR, on February 19, general mobilization was announced, which affected men aged 18 to 55 years.

In October, the acting head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, announced the need for the demobilization of students, while noting that this process should take place gradually and without harm to the combat capability of the units.

Pushilin himself stated that he was a supporter of the return of students from the front.

At the same time, martial law was introduced on the territory of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions on October 19.

Along with this, a medium level of response was introduced in the Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov Regions and Sevastopol.

In addition, partial mobilization has been carried out in Russia since September 21.

As Vladimir Putin emphasized, only citizens who were in the reserve were involved in it, primarily those who served in the armed forces, had certain military specialties and combat experience.

On October 28, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the President on the completion of mobilization measures, during which 300 thousand people were recruited into the armed forces.

According to the minister, further recruitment of troops will continue at the expense of volunteers and contract servicemen.

As the president clarified on November 4, 318,000 Russians, including volunteers, entered the Russian Armed Forces as part of partial mobilization.

On November 7, the head of state noted that about 80,000 mobilized Russians were in the NMD zone, of which about 50,000 were participating in combat operations.