On July 23, Alexandr Bastrikin, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee (CIR), proposed revoking the citizenship of naturalized citizens who refuse to serve in the military. “If you evade the draft, you lose your citizenship,” Bastrikin stated, according to the CIR’s Telegram channel.
He emphasized that foreign nationals who receive Russian passports take on not only rights but also responsibilities as citizens of the Russian Federation. Additionally, Bastrikin encouraged committee members to actively participate in efforts to identify those avoiding military conscription to include them in the military census.
For several months, Bastrikin has been advocating for naturalized Russians, particularly those from Central Asian former Soviet republics, to contribute to the ongoing war effort in Ukraine. By the end of June, he estimated that around 10,000 newly naturalized Russians had already been mobilized to fight as part of the military operation.
His comments came during a meeting focused on combating crime among immigrants, a topic that has gained urgency after a jihadist attack in March by four Tajiks at the Crocus City Hall concert venue. Authorities are urging new Russian citizens to enlist in the Armed Forces, even as some regions offer a one-time bonus of up to 1.5 million rubles (approximately $18,000) simply for signing a professional contract.
In an update, the Moscow city government announced that it will now pay 1.9 million rubles (around $21,000) for signing such contracts. This means that a soldier originating from Moscow could potentially earn up to 5.2 million rubles (nearly $60,000) over a year of service in Ukraine.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/07/23/rusia-propone-privar-de-ciudadania-a-los-naturalizados-que-se-nieguen-a-ir-a-filas/
