On Thursday, Russian citizenship might be obtained for foreign people and their families by those who fight for Russia in Ukraine, according to a directive issued by President Vladimir Putin.

According to the directive, individuals who entered into agreements during what Moscow refers to as its "special military operation" in Ukraine are eligible to apply for Russian passports for themselves, their partners, their kids, and their parents. Documentation proving they committed for a minimum of a year must be provided.

Those who have contracted with the regular armed forces or other "military formations" are among those who qualify; this category may include organizations like the Wagner mercenary organization.

The move seemed to be intended to provide more motivation for foreign veterans of the armed forces to apply to join the Russian military.

People walk near a banner in support of the Russian Army, in the town of Vyborg, Leningrad Region

Information about the number of foreign fighters supporting Moscow in Ukraine is not made public by Moscow. Reuters has previously published articles on Africans Wagner recruited, two of whom were killed in battle, and Cubans who enlisted in the military in exchange for bonuses exceeding 100 times the average monthly pay in Cuba.

According to a declassified U.S. intelligence analysis, Russia has lost 315,000 soldiers to death and injuries in the war in Ukraine, or about 90% of its total force strength, a source familiar with the material told Reuters last month.

September 2022 saw Russia mobilize an additional 300,000 men for the first time since World War Two. There has been constant conjecture that it would carry out the unpopular action again, possibly following the March presidential election, when Putin is expected to easily win a second six-year term.

However, the Kremlin has stated time and time again that there is no need for additional mobilization because thousands of individuals voluntarily signed contracts to join professional troops last year.

Russia and Ukraine have not revealed how much each has lost throughout the 22-month conflict. A contentious piece of draft law that would tighten and expand mobilization was put under examination by the Kyiv parliament on Thursday. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that his military had suggested mobilizing an additional 450,000–500,000 people.