Russia moves to allow military use to protect citizens abroad

Russia’s State Duma has adopted in its first reading a bill that would allow the use of the Armed Forces to protect Russian citizens arrested abroad.

This is reflected in the electronic database of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.

“Adopt the bill in the first reading; submit amendments to the bill (deadline for submitting amendments is within five days from the date of adoption of the resolution; 18.04.2026),” the database states.

The explanatory note says the legislation was drafted to protect the rights of Russian citizens in cases of arrest or criminal prosecution carried out under foreign court decisions without the participation of the Russian Federation.

The bill provides for the “possible extraterritorial use, by decision of the President of the Russian Federation, of formations of the Armed Forces” to protect Russian citizens.

The bill was submitted to the State Duma on March 19. Political analyst Ilya Ukhov said the proposed changes primarily concern “targeted” situations, allowing for the release of Russians facing threats from unfriendly countries in international waters or abroad.

By Vafa Guliyeva