Putin offers citizenship to foreigners in Russian military

Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a decree eliminating barriers for foreign nationals serving in Russia’s military to become Russian citizens. Foreign nationals who have signed a one-year contract with Russia’s military are eligible to apply for citizenship and will receive a decision within one month. Their spouses and children are also eligible to apply.

How many foreign nationals are serving in the Russian military? The Kremlin has not revealed how many foreign nationals currently serve in its military. Last month, the Nepalese government asked Russia to stop recruiting its citizens to fight in Ukraine. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal’s prime minister, said at least six Nepali nationals have died fighting for Russia, and there are likely nearly 200 Nepalis currently enlisted in Russian forces. Nepal and Cuba have arrested several Russians over the last year for trafficking and scamming foreign nationals into fighting for Russia.

Dig deeper: Read Todd Vician’s report in WORLD Magazine about flagging recruitment rates in the U.S. military.