Military Service Opened to Stateless Individuals as Russia Seeks to Boost Troop Numbers

On Tuesday, Russian lawmakers approved a new bill that enables stateless individuals to enter into military contracts, a measure aimed at increasing troop numbers for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The lower house of Parliament, known as the State Duma, passed the legislation during its second and third readings. This bill, proposed by the Justice Ministry in April, modifies current regulations regarding military service and defense matters.

Under the new legislation, military recruiters will be permitted to regard stateless individuals similarly to foreign nationals who wish to enlist. Those who successfully complete their military service will have the opportunity to apply for Russian citizenship through a streamlined process.

The bill will now proceed to the Federation Council, the upper house, for a final vote before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. Once signed, the law will come into effect immediately.

Legislators have expressed hopes of attracting as many as 5,000 stateless recruits to the military once the legislation is enacted.

According to data from the Federal Security Service (FSB), nearly 90,000 stateless individuals entered Russia in 2024, although this number may include multiple entries by the same persons.

Additionally, the Interior Ministry of Russia, which does not differentiate between foreigners and stateless individuals in its reports, noted that 5.93 million such people registered for employment in 2024, with less than 1% securing work permits.

Last year, President Putin relaxed the citizenship requirements for foreigners who serve in the Russian military; however, this policy has not resulted in a notable increase in enlistment, as migration expert Vadim Kozhenkov mentioned to the business publication Vedomosti in April.