MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree allowing foreign citizens who fight for Russia in Ukraine to obtain citizenship of Russia for themselves and their families, western media reported on Thursday.
The order stated people who have inked contracts during what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine can also apply to get passports of Russia for themselves and their children, spouses, and parents.
The order added that the foreigners must provide documents showing that they inked for a minimum of one year. Those eligible candidates include people who have inked agreement with the regular military.
Putin Offers Citizenship to Foreigners
The step appeared to be aimed at creating more incentives for foreign citizens with army experience to apply to join Russian ranks.
However, Russia does not publish data on the number of foreign nationals fighting on its side in Ukraine.
The development comes as a December 29 missile attack killed around 32 people in Kyiv, officials said Thursday, raising the death count of the deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since the war started.
Russia has in recent days increased aerial strikes against Ukraine, which says it has enough munition to withstand a few powerful attacks but would soon need more help.
The chief of the Kyiv military administration Sergiy Popko said that the total number of dead as a result of the missile attack on December 29 is 32 persons. He added that around thirty people were injured in the strike.
