Putin Inks Law Allowing Non-Russians to Join Military

President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law permitting non-Russian citizens to enlist in the country's military.

Amendments were made to several legislative acts, including the laws On Military Duty and Military Service, On Defense and On the Status of Military Personnel, The Caspian Post reports, citing Russian media.

Under the new law, stateless individuals and foreigners will be able to sign contracts and serve in the military until the end of the mobilization period, the termination of martial law or the expiration of wartime.

The law comes into force from the date of its official publication. It was expedited "in order to take urgent additional measures to restaff the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the explanatory note to the document says.