Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning the extradition of foreign citizens and stateless persons who serve or have served under contract in the Russian army.
The law prohibits their extradition to other countries for criminal prosecution or the enforcement of court sentences if the individuals participated in combat during their military service.
Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved the legislation on Feb. 26, and the Federation Council passed it on March 4.
The measure effectively shields foreign nationals fighting on Russia’s side in its war against Ukraine from being extradited, even though participation in foreign armed conflicts is considered a criminal offense in many countries – including some that maintain friendly relations with Moscow.
Foreign citizens were first allowed to sign contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defense in November 2022, while stateless persons became eligible in July 2024.
Beginning in January 2024, foreign recruits and their family members were granted access to a simplified path to Russian citizenship. The process waives requirements such as language exams and five years of permanent residence.
Since November last year, even documentation confirming a soldier’s discharge from military service or a medical ruling declaring them unfit for duty can be used as grounds to apply for Russian citizenship – provided the applicant participated in the war against Ukraine.
There are no official figures on the total number of foreign fighters in Russia’s ranks. Russian authorities have only publicly confirmed the presence of troops from North Korea.
According to US estimates, up to 5,000 Cuban citizens were fighting on Russia’s side as of the fall of 2025.
Journalists from the investigative outlet Important Stories reported that more than 1,500 foreigners from 49 countries, including Nepal, China, India and Uzbekistan, signed contracts with the Russian military between April 2023 and May 2024.
In April 2025, the UK Ministry of Defense said Russia had recruited more than 1,500 foreign fighters during that period, most of them from South and East Asia (771), post-Soviet states (523) and African countries (72).
Many reportedly joined for financial incentives or promises of obtaining Russian citizenship.
British analysts said Russia’s foreign recruitment campaign appears loosely organized but is likely to continue in order to reduce the need for another wave of domestic mobilization.
The newspaper The Telegraph reported that by the end of 2025 Russia had recruited about 18,000 people from 128 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, with at least 3,300 reportedly killed.
Several countries – including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Jordan and Kenya – have demanded that Moscow stop recruiting their citizens.
Russia has signaled a willingness to address these concerns. However, according to the legal advocacy group Military Advocates, the Russian Defense Ministry has recently faced increasing difficulties recruiting new contract soldiers.
In July 2025, Putin signed a decree allowing foreigners to serve in the Russian Armed Forces during mobilization. Previously, foreign citizens were only permitted to serve during states of emergency, martial law, or active armed conflict.
The new legislation also allows highly qualified specialists who have reached the maximum service age to extend their contracts with Russian intelligence and security agencies, including the Federal Security Service.
Analysts say these measures are part of broader efforts by Moscow to replenish its military ranks while avoiding the political risks of a second large-scale mobilization.