Russia has granted citizenship to 3,344 foreigners since the start of the year under a decree by President Vladimir Putin that allows passports to be issued to participants in the invasion of Ukraine and their family members.
Irina Volk, the official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry, announced the figures on November 4, although it remains unclear whether they only included passports issued to military personnel or also their relatives.
The decree permits citizenship for military personnel who sign a one-year contract with the Russian Army or pro-Russian military formations fighting in Ukraine, following a similar law enacted in 2022.
In parallel, Russia has implemented laws allowing for the revocation of citizenship from naturalized citizens who refuse military service registration.
Volk said earlier that 1,117 such naturalized Russians lost their citizenship in the first eight months of 2024.
Last month, the Interior Ministry began enforcing the law, significantly expanding the grounds for citizenship revocation.
To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Russian Service, click here.
