Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing foreigners to serve in the Russian army not only during a state of emergency or martial law, but also during the period of mobilisation, which is aimed at expanding military recruitment.

The relevant document is posted on the official Internet portal of legal information.

The Kremlin will also now allow qualified specialists who have reached the age limit to sign contracts with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Federal Security Service (FSB), or other state security agencies.

The partial mobilization decree signed by President Putin on 21 September, 2022, is still in force, as it has not been officially revoked. Ending the decree would require a new presidential order specifying the date of termination.

At the end of March, the Kremlin announced its traditional spring conscription of 160,000 men till 15 July — the largest call-up in 14 years. In addition, the upper age limit for conscription was raised to 30 years.

On 2 July, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev announced that more than 210,000 contract soldiers had joined the military in the first half of 2025. During the same period, more than 18,000 individuals enlisted in volunteer units of the Russian Army.

Many foreign citizens are almost certainly recruited specifically through Moscow due to higher signing bonuses and the city’s relative international accessibility.

According to Russian news outlet iStories, mercenaries from at least 48 countries have joined the Russian military throughout the war in Ukraine. The largest number of foreign fighters came from South and East Asian countries. Former Soviet states ranked second, followed by African nations. When it comes to countries, the highest number of recruits came from Nepal. 

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