Russia Passes Law Allowing Military Deployment to Protect Citizens Abroad
Russia’s parliament has approved a controversial new law allowing President Vladimir Putin to deploy the military abroad to protect Russian citizens facing arrest or prosecution by foreign courts.
The legislation, passed by the State Duma in its second and third readings, expands the Kremlin’s authority to use armed forces outside Russia in cases involving «foreign or international judicial bodies» that Moscow does not recognize. Officials said the measure is aimed at protecting Russians from what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions abroad.
Under the new law, Russian state agencies would also be required to take additional measures to assist citizens detained or prosecuted overseas. The bill is expected to be signed by Putin and would take effect 10 days after official publication.
Critics say the law could provide legal justification for future Russian military operations beyond its borders, particularly in countries with large Russian-speaking populations. Analysts have compared the move to Moscow’s earlier claims that it intervened in Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians.
The legislation comes amid growing tensions between Russia and Western countries, as international courts and European institutions continue efforts to investigate alleged Russian war crimes linked to the war in Ukraine.
