As Russia’s relentless war on Ukraine hits the two-year mark next month, both nations face severe depletion of resources, from weaponry to manpower. In a move to bolster his forces, President Vladimir Putin has rolled out a new decree, enticing foreign nationals and their families to join the offensive by offering Russian citizenship, Reuters reports.
The decree specifically targets individuals who enlisted during what Russia describes as the ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine.
This encompasses those who have signed contracts with the regular armed forces or any other “military formations,” including the notorious mercenary group Wagner, according to the outlet.
Eligibility hinges on verifiable documents confirming a minimum commitment of one year. Should fighters meet this criteria, not only will they gain Russian citizenship, but their spouses, children, and parents will also be granted the same privilege.
Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27 are required to serve one year in the military, although a large number of them don’t do so citing health reasons or deferment due to university.
Last year, the age limit was expanded to up to 30 years.
About 90% of Russia’s personnel have been killed or injured since the conflict began, a declassified U.S. Intelligence report revealed last month.
Russia drafted an additional 300,000 men in September 2022, when Putin offered a similar program for foreigners who signed contracts to join the Russian army.
Most recently, in December, Putin ordered the military to add a further 170,000 soldiers, bringing the total to 1.32 million troops.
Meanwhile, the most recent figures on the death toll among Ukrainian troops is more than 30,000 with several others injured. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed to mobilize up to 500,000 more soldiers, although it hasn’t yet been done.
Neither country has issued official numbers on dead or injured soldiers for the war.
Efforts to incentivize people to join Russia’s army
Russia has attempted to lure people to take on a contract with the army by offering high wages, nearly four times the country’s average salary.
While it’s not known how many foreigners fight in Russia’s army, media reports show that Cuban and Nepalese nationals were arrested for their involvement in recruiting people for Moscow.
The move to speed up the path to citizenship is aimed at shoring up troops as the war drags on.
Hundreds of thousands of people from Central Asian countries seek Russian citizenship each year.
Moscow advertised for enlistment and accelerated citizenship in Uzbek, Tajik, and Kyrgyz languages in the past, according to the Associated Press.
Russia is under immense economic pressure from global trade sanctions.
Even so, Moscow has committed large swaths of money toward defense spending—about 6% of its GDP for 2024, compared with 3.9% in 2023—pointing to its intent to continue its attacks on Ukraine.
Putin confirmed last month that 486,000 soldiers signed contracts with the military in 2023, although it’s unclear how many of those are foreign nationals.
