Camilla Jessen
Russia plans legal shield for foreign fighters.
Russia is moving forward with a set of laws that would protect foreign nationals serving in its army from extradition or deportation.
If approved, the changes would give thousands of foreigners fighting for Moscow a way to avoid criminal charges in their home countries.
Russian outlets including Vedomosti and TASS first reported the proposals.
Analysts say the plan could turn Russia into a safe haven for people wanted abroad.
Protection from extradition
The legislative package, approved by a government commission, would block the extradition of any foreign citizen or stateless person who is serving, or has served, under contract in the Russian Armed Forces or other military units, including those active in Ukraine.
The rules would also stop transfers requested by other governments “for criminal prosecution or the execution of sentences.”
Instead of deportation, foreigners would face only small fines, between 1,000 and 50,000 rubles, or up to 200 hours of community work.
Igor Cherepanov of the Association of Lawyers of Russia told TASS that some offenders could also be barred from sports venues for several years.
Vedomosti reported that any deportation or entry bans issued after Feb. 24, 2022, would be canceled for those who fought for Russia. Cherepanov said the aim is to keep military information from reaching “third countries.”
Easier path to citizenship
The plan also builds on recent efforts to bring more foreign recruits into the army.
A law signed by Vladimir Putin in July 2025 allows stateless people to join the military and then receive Russian citizenship without meeting language or residency requirements.
A separate decree already lets foreigners who served in the war apply through a simplified process.
State Duma deputy Oleksiy Kurinny told Ukrainian publication Mezha that foreign soldiers “have the primary right” to become Russian citizens.
Growing use of foreign fighters
Russia’s Human Rights Council has tracked cases in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan where citizens have been jailed for joining Russian units abroad.
Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project has identified more than 1,100 Uzbek fighters and hundreds more from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan under Russian contracts.
Some Russian lawyers say the new protections are “fair,” arguing that those who help Russia should not be punished.
Sources: Vedomosti; TASS; Mezha, The Kyiv Post
