Russia set to protect foreign fighters from deportation, grant them residency

The Russian State Duma has passed a draft law in its first reading that would prohibit the deportation of foreign nationals who have fought as part of the Russian Armed Forces.

The legislation was submitted to parliament by the Russian government in November 2025, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Under the proposed law, foreign citizens and stateless individuals who served under contract and took part in combat operations with the Russian military or other Russian armed formations would be protected from deportation.

They would also be guaranteed the right to obtain temporary residence permits, work permits, and residency visas, with such documents unable to be revoked.

The draft legislation also stipulates that any decisions taken since February 24, 2022, to deport these individuals, shorten their period of stay, or refuse or cancel the relevant documents would be rendered void.

If approved in a third reading by the State Duma and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, the legislation would come into effect ten days after its publication.

By Aghakazim Guliyev