According to the proposed bill, the possibility of contracts applies to crimes committed before June 24, 2023. The initiators of the idea point out that in June 2023 a similar law was adopted for citizens of the Russian Federation.
"We believe that the replenishment of the armed forces of the Russian Federation with citizens of the above categories, who are ready to redeem their guilt to the state and society, will contribute to achieving the goals of the special ‘military operation’," the explanatory note says.
The authors of the draft law emphasize that the initiative was supported in the highest circles after President Putin met with the occupiers who took part in the war. During this meeting, the president touched upon the issue of volunteers who came to serve from places of imprisonment. At one point, the dictator stated that these people "gave their lives for the Motherland and redeemed their guilt to the fullest extent".
In November 2022, Putin approved a resolution that allows foreign citizens to serve in the Russian army. According to the adopted changes, foreign employees are covered by the same norms as Russian citizens wishing to serve under contract.
On January 4, 2024, the dictator signed an additional decree that paved the way for giving Russian citizenship to foreign citizens who contracted to serve in the army or in "military units" during the war.
