Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Moscow - New Russian legislation gives foreign citizens from the CIS countries the right to serve in the Russian army under a contract, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov told Interfax.

"A decision to this effect has been made, CIS citizens have such a right, but it should be their personal decision," he said.

"A contract is a voluntary thing. In this case, a person cannot be conscripted or ordered. Thus, CIS citizens can only serve in the army on a voluntary basis," he said.

An estimated 308 foreigners from the CIS currently serve in the Russian army, the Russian General Staff told Interfax.