Moscow to halt deportation of migrants who fought in war

Foreign nationals who signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense to participate in the war in Ukraine will no longer be extradited to their home countries. The relevant amendments have been approved by the government commission, Vedomosti reported.

According to the report, this measure aims to protect foreigners from criminal prosecution in their home countries. The State Duma is currently reviewing three draft laws related to foreign citizens and stateless persons who have served in the Russian army, military formations, or taken part in combat operations under contract.

Under the amendments, such individuals will not be administratively deported. Instead, they may face fines ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 rubles or up to 200 hours of community service.

In addition, an amendment is being introduced to the law on the legal status of foreign citizens. It stipulates that any decisions made ’’after February 24, 2022,’’ regarding deportation, readmission, entry bans, shortening of temporary residence permits, or revocation of residence permits will ’’lose their validity and will not be enforced.’’ The same applies to decisions denying, canceling, or refusing to renew work permits and patents.

State Duma deputy Alexey Kurinny emphasized that the package of bills approved by the government will serve as an additional incentive for foreigners fighting against Ukraine.

’’Because today, deporting or handing over to foreign judicial systems someone who is taking part in the ‘special military operation’ and performing combat missions is simply unimaginable,’’ he said.

Kurinny recalled that courts in several CIS countries — including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan — have issued verdicts under the mercenary article against their citizens who fought against Ukraine.

It is worth noting that earlier, the ’’I want to live’’ project, created with the support of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Main Intelligence Directorate, published the names of 481 Uzbek citizens who were recruited into the Russian Armed Forces to fight against Ukraine and were reported dead or missing.