The State Duma has banned the extradition of foreigners who committed a crime abroad but signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense.

The government proposed these amendments back in November, and today the deputies voted for them unanimously.

Thanks to the new law, Russia will be able to refuse to extradite a citizen suspected of committing a criminal offense to another country. Among other things, it is intended to protect mercenaries from a number of countries where service in the armed forces of other countries is prohibited, as well as participation in combat operations on their side. Kazakhstan, for example, only in 2025 instituted More than 700 criminal cases for service in the Russian army. Cases of recruitment into the Russian army are also being investigated in Iraq, South Africa, Kenya, Nepal и India

Also the government asks Easing the sanctions against foreigners who signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense and committed a crime in Russia: instead of deportation, they will face a fine and community service. They will also no longer be banned from entering the Russian Federation or denied temporary residence permits or renewals (these amendments have not yet been approved).

On According to Ukraine, on the Russian side, during the 4 years of war, at least 18 thousand foreigners from 128 countries were involved (almost 4 thousand of them have already died).

Military analysts count them.The rate of recruitment is not sufficient to replace losses, leading the Ministry of Defense to increasingly rely on foreign mercenaries. The new law will help attract new volunteers from abroad and also protect those who commit war crimes on the front lines.