Putin simplifies citizenship process for foreign soldiers in Russian army

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree streamlining the process of getting citizenship for foreigners who join the Russian army, according to a document published by the government Thursday.

According to Putin’s proclamation, “foreign citizens who signed a one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces or military formations or who are undergoing military service during the special military operation in Ukraine” are eligible for the streamlined citizenship procedure.

The spouses, children and parents of foreigners serving in the Russian army will also be able to receive fast-track citizenship, according to the decree.

Russian authorities have one month to consider the soldiers’ and their families’ citizenship applications, the document states.

Thursday’s decree, which comes into force on the day of its publication, replaces previous decrees Putin issued after declaring a “partial” mobilization of reservists in September 2022.

His latest edict drops the requirement for foreigners to serve in the military for at least six months before applying for citizenship, as well as shortens the application procedure from three months to just one.

Russia’s simplified citizenship process appears targeted toward citizens of poorer ex-Soviet countries who live and work in Russia.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan all warned their citizens not to join foreign troops.

Last year, there were frequent reports of police in places across Russia picking up migrant workers who had recently earned Russian citizenship but had failed to complete their mandatory military registration.

According to accounts, some of the migrants were given military summonses on the scene, while others were forcibly escorted to military enlistment offices.